2026 marks the start of implementation for Maine’s EPR for packaging law: legislation to help offset municipalities’ recycling costs and incentivize more sustainable packaging.
Find out what it means for your community.
What is EPR for Packaging?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that assigns manufacturers and brand owners greater responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their product packaging. EPR helps shift recycling costs toward producers, reducing the burden on consumers and municipalities. This policy approach isn’t new: the first EPR law to go into effect in Maine was the Bottle Bill in 1978, which was originally put in place to discourage littering and boost recycling rates across the state. In addition to the Bottle Bill, EPR laws in Maine exist for rechargeable batteries, mercury containing devices (bulbs, thermostats, switches/relays), electronics, paint, and pharmaceutical drugs.
Download our EPR Guide for Maine Municipalities Here
Benefits for Maine municipalities:
- Lowers the burden for taxpayers.
- Reimbursements provide towns with relief for the cost of recycling.
- Increased access to recycling.
- This support can help communities improve recycling infrastructure.
Benefits for all consumers:
- Incentivizes packaging innovation.
- Producers will benefit from reducing unnecessary packaging and leveraging more readily recyclable materials.
- Restore consumer choice.
- More producers opting for lower-waste packaging means more sustainable options on the shelves.
How does the Program Work?
PEOPLE RECYCLE
Methods of recycling don’t change under EPR - residents should continue to recycle as they normally do.
COMMUNITIES REPORT
Municipalities record expenses related to recycling and report to the Stewardship Organization (S.O.).
REIMBURSEMENTS ISSUED
Beginning in the fall of 2027, participating municipalities will receive reimbursement for eligible recycling costs at a rate determined by the Stewardship Organization (S.O.).
Participating in EPR: Guidance for Municipalities
To participate in Maine’s EPR for Packaging program, a municipality must accept for recycling at least one of the designated readily recyclable materials, and must submit annual reporting on their recycling tonnage and costs.
The Stewardship Organization (S.O.) will conduct studies to determine reimbursement rates. The median cost per ton of managing eligible packaging will be determined based on groupings of similar municipalities (defined by location and population).
Anticipated Program Dates
| Milestone | Anticipated Date |
|---|---|
| Municipalities begin recording eligible expenses | JANUARY 2026 |
| Maine DEP selects a Stewardship Organization (S.O.) *Once selected, the S.O. will provide participating municipalities with tools, guidance, and detailed reporting requirements. | SPRING 2026 |
| First municipal annual reporting due | SPRING 2027 |
| First reimbursements issued | FALL 2027 |
Checklist for Municipal Cost Reporting
While awaiting detailed reporting guidance from the S.O., municipalities should ensure that they are recording reimbursable expenses in detail. The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) has provided a preliminary checklist of costs to record:
Labor Costs by employee
- Time managing packaging stream
- Total compensation and benefits
Equipment Costs by piece of equipment
- Time using equipment for each packaging stream
- Total Miles traveled per vehicle
- Number of trips per vehicle route
- Maintenance costs
Structure Costs by structure
- Percent use of structure for each packaging stream
- Maintenance cost
- Capital Investment
Energy Costs by structure and piece of equipment
- Total metered energy
- Average cost per unit of metered energy
- Percent energy use for each packaging stream
Other Costs and Revenues
- Amount paid to contractor (includes hauler, receiving facility etc.)
- Revenue received from the sale of commodities
