Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is gaining momentum worldwide, and 2025 will mark a major turning point.
In our recent webinar, Source Academy, the educational arm of Source Intelligence, partnered with RecycleMe to explore how global EPR regulations are evolving, what challenges producers face, and how to ensure accurate, scalable compliance through expert guidance and automation.
Source Academy is an IACET-accredited organization. Individuals who complete the Quiz and Evaluation Form at the end of the webinar will receive a Certificate of Completion and earn 0.2 CEUs. The quiz requires a score of 80% or higher to pass. To be eligible to receive CEUs upon course and quiz completion, please enroll at Source Academy.
Watch the webinar
Key takeaways from the discussion:
EPR is expanding fast—and producers must prepare.
Adrian opened with a global overview, tracing EPR’s roots to Germany in 1990 and the EU-wide expansion that followed. The upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) aims to harmonize these systems across Europe by August 2026, introducing stricter rules on design for recyclability and recycled content.
In the U.S., Jason detailed how seven states now have packaging EPR laws, with more on the horizon. He emphasized the wide variation in covered materials, reporting thresholds, and cost structures, making harmonized compliance across states incredibly complex.
Understanding your packaging data is step one.
Using a fictional company example, Harriet walked through the real-world implications of EPR reporting—from tracking all primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, to understanding thresholds, customer types (household vs. business), and labeling requirements.
Producers continue to face several challenges.
Adrian and Harriet highlighted several pain points producers experience while managing EPR packaging compliance, including:- Sourcing packaging weights from suppliers can take months.
- Requirements vary widely across schemes and jurisdictions.
- Deadlines, units of measure, and reporting formats differ.
- Inaccurate data can lead to fines or inflated costs.
Jason added that even defining what qualifies as packaging can vary. For instance, Oregon considers some office supply packaging covered, while others are excluded based on usability after removal.
Pairing consulting expertise with software automation is the answer.
Beth demonstrated how the Source Intelligence platform consolidates global EPR requirements into a centralized system that:- Maps packaging data to local scheme requirements.
- Automatically calculates weights, costs, and obligations.
- Generates reports in scheme-specific formats.
- Flags missing data and supports audit readiness.
- Tracks deadlines and submission status across all jurisdictions.
She explained how this approach removes manual guesswork and ensures scalable, accurate reporting, especially for companies managing multiple suppliers or selling into many regions.
At the end of the webinar, you'll be able to:
- Identify key drivers for EPR
- List regulatory and other emerging EPR trends
- Summarize data points and needs for EPR compliance
- Describe common EPR challenges
- Explain how to leverage technology for EPR compliance
Meet the panel
Josh Lalande, Account Executive, Source Intelligence
Josh has nearly five years of experience in compliance & sustainability tech, helping organizations build scalable, effective solutions. He introduced Source Academy’s EPR resources, emphasizing the power of aligning data, technology, and expertise for lasting compliance.
Adrian Vannahme, Chief Operating Officer, RecycleMe
Adrian is a seasoned expert in EPR policy development and circular economy strategy. He leads operational and consulting services across PROs (Producer Responsibility Organizations) in Canada and the EU.
Jason Bergquist, Vice President, RecycleMe
Jason specializes in EPR rollout in the U.S., advising clients on the rapidly shifting regulatory landscape and the state-by-state complexities of packaging EPR.
Harriet Martin, Sustainability Consultant, Source Intelligence
Harriet works closely with Source Intelligence clients to understand packaging flows, material breakdowns, and compliance thresholds across jurisdictions.
Beth Allen, Sales Engineer, Source Intelligence
Beth demonstrates how the Source Intelligence platform simplifies and automates packaging EPR reporting across 250+ global schemes.
Whether you're preparing for Europe’s PPWR or navigating U.S. state-level patchworks, Source Intelligence and RecycleMe are here to help you master EPR. Watch the full webinar on demand and explore how our integrated services and software can simplify your path to packaging compliance.