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HOW DOES EPR WORK IN THE USA? In the US, EPR has gone from a theoretical debate to a high-priority regulatory reality in only a few years, making industry buzz along the way. Without a federal approach, states have pioneered their own frameworks at varying speeds. After Maine enacted the nation’s first EPR law in 2021, several other states followed suit. “To date, seven US states have enacted EPR laws for packaging, with Oregon and Colorado having already moved into the active fee implementation phase,” says Nathan Pajka , Sustainability Manager, stationed in Norwalk, Connecticut. As big American companies are already preparing for the new legislation, Pajka has been working with several customers to analyse how EPR costs may be affected by different packaging choices. “In addition to lightweighting analysis, carbon foot- print comparison and the actual EPR analysis, we help customers understand EPR fee amplifiers and other implications through transparent data.” The key issue is often how a switch from PE-coated board to Metsä Board folding boxboard will yield both technical and financial benefits for the end-user. “Especially when volumes are so great, even a small shift in the pricing structure can move the needle. EPR related insights help customers identify tangible cost-saving opportunities linked to their packaging choices,” says Pajka.
“ESPECIALLY WHEN VOLUMES ARE SO GREAT, EVEN A SMALL SHIFT IN THE PRICING STRUCTURE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE. EPR RELATED INSIGHTS HELP CUSTOMERS IDENTIFY TANGIBLE COST-SAVING OPPORTUNITIES LINKED TO THEIR PACKAGING CHOICES.” – Nathan Pajka, Sustainability Manager
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WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF MATERIAL SELECTION IN EPR?
EPR incentivises the transition away from plastic to fibre-based materials in packaging. This is also reflected in the American fee system: fees for plastic are higher than for paperboard. Nathan Pajka notes that Metsä Board’s paperboard is a great fit for EPR for two rea- sons: “First of all, our products are lightweight, driving down EPR costs by optimising the weight-based metrics used to determine fees,” Pajka says, adding that other commonly used paperboards are usually heavier. “And, where strong barrier properties are required, companies are beginning to move away from plastic and PE-coated board due to these financial penalties. Our dispersion bar- rier board has the potential to offer customers a more cost-effective, compliant solution.”
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