Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws impose liability on producers for the lifecycle of their products. EPR laws are found worldwide, particularly in Europe and Canada, but are becoming more prevalent at the state level in the United States. Many U.S. states already impose requirements on producers of e-waste and batteries, but the latest spate of EPR laws has focused on packaging materials, paper and plastic products, and food service service ware. The crux of EPR packaging laws is the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). PROs are tasked with complying with the bulk of EPR packaging requirements and may be comprised of individual producers or a collective of producers.

Deposit return systems (DRS) answer calls to address plastic pollution, increase recycling, and move away from traditional linear take-make-dispose models in preference of a circular economy. Deposit return systems have been shown to combat litter, reduce costs, create green jobs, and bring social and economic benefits.