No End in Sight on Debate on How to Handle Paper Products at Their End-of-Life

The debate about how to handle packaging at its end-of-life shows no end in sight. The National Waste & Recycling Association released a new industry position opposing local and state government mandates regarding product stewardship for printed paper and packaging.

“Advocates may promote legislation mandating ‘product stewardship’ programs for printed paper and packaging as a way to increase recycling rates and make retailers ‘pay’ for recycling—but these kinds of programs are rife with pitfalls and unintended consequences,” said Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of Waste & Recycling.

Waste & Recycling’s position paper raised several concerns on product stewardship programs for printed paper