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Eco-Participation Fees

U.S. Packaging EPR: State-by-State Extended Producer Responsibility Laws for Packaging and Printed Paper

Reference for U.S. state-level extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging, requiring producers to fund collection, recycling, and disposal of packaging materials. Active programs in Oregon, Colorado, California, and Maine.

This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.

United States4 jurisdictionsMandatory

Overview

A growing number of U.S. states are enacting extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and printed paper, shifting the cost of recycling and disposal from municipalities to the producers who create the packaging. As of 2025, four states have enacted packaging EPR legislation: Oregon, Colorado, California, and Maine. These programs require producers, brand owners, and importers to register with a designated PRO (Producer Responsibility Organization), report packaging volumes by material type, and pay eco-modulated fees based on material recyclability. Fee structures are complex and vary by state, with total program costs running into hundreds of millions annually. Online merchants selling into these states are considered producers if they supply packaging to consumers.

Fee schedule by jurisdiction

4 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.

JurisdictionFee
OregonProducer fees by material type and weight (eco-modulated)
ColoradoProducer fees by material type and weight (eco-modulated)
California (SB 54)Producer fees by material type and weight
MaineProducer fees (program in development)

Oregon

Producer fees by material type and weight (eco-modulated)

Packaging and printed paper supplied to Oregon consumers

Fee payments began July 2025. Pre-program spend ~$188M in 2025, increasing to ~$290M by 2027.

Effective Jul 1, 2025

Colorado

Producer fees by material type and weight (eco-modulated)

Packaging and printed paper supplied to Colorado consumers

Fee invoices issued by end of 2025. Third draft of eco-modulation regulations published.

California (SB 54)

Producer fees by material type and weight

Packaging and single-use food service ware supplied to California consumers

Data reporting by November 2025. Fee payments begin January 2027. ~$500M/year from producers 2027–2037.

Effective Jan 1, 2027

Maine

Producer fees (program in development)

Packaging materials supplied to Maine consumers

Comprehensive EPR packaging legislation enacted. Fee structure under development.

Enforcement

Producers who fail to register with the state PRO, report packaging data, or pay fees face enforcement from state environmental agencies, including fines, compliance orders, and potential bans on selling packaged goods in the state.

Official sources

Shopify compliance

This is a mandatory fee — merchants selling in covered jurisdictions are legally required to collect it. Shopify requires that mandatory fees be clearly disclosed to customers before checkout. Use a Shopify app like Magical Fees to automate collection and ensure compliance.

Last updated: Feb 20, 2026Last verified: Mar 6, 2026Review cycle: semi-annually

This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed semi-annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.

Quick facts

Regulation
State Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Laws
Country
United States
Jurisdictions
4
Category
Eco-Participation Fees

Explore U.S. State Packaging EPR Laws (Extended Producer Responsibility) in practice

See how to automate this fee on Shopify and browse other regulations in this category.

Related use cases

Set up with Magical Fees on Shopify.

More eco-participation fees

Other regulations in this category.

Canada

Canadian Provincial Environmental Handling Fees (Eco-Fees)

Reference for Canadian provincial eco-fee and environmental handling fee (EHF) programs covering electronics, batteries, packaging, tires, and other regulated products under extended producer responsibility legislation.

View fee schedule →Germany

German ElektroG WEEE Eco-Fees

Reference for Germany's ElektroG (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act) requiring producers to register with Stiftung EAR and pay fees for WEEE collection and recycling.

View fee schedule →Spain

Spanish RAEE/WEEE Producer Responsibility Fees

Reference for Spain's RAEE (Residuos de Aparatos Eléctricos y Electrónicos) extended producer responsibility system, requiring registration, eco-modulated fees, and recycling obligations for electronics producers.

View fee schedule →European Union

EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) — Producer Responsibility Fees

Reference for the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) requiring extended producer responsibility for all batteries placed on the EU market, including registration, collection, recycling, and end-of-life management obligations.

View fee schedule →European Union

EU Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (Green Dot / PRO Europe)

Reference for European packaging extended producer responsibility systems coordinated by PRO Europe (Green Dot / Der Grüne Punkt), requiring producers to pay license fees for packaging collection and recycling in each EU member state.

View fee schedule →
View all eco-participation fees →View all use cases →

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