Why Does EPR Raise Costs for American Families

States across the U.S. are considering EPR legislation or are implementing EPR programs. These are the facts:

Higher Costs for Families in New York

A study found that proposed EPR laws in New York could raise the monthly cost of everyday items like cereal and pasta by $38-$61 for a family of 4. That's up to $732 in added costs annually. EPR legislation is still under consideration in New York.

Higher Prices at the Grocery Store

The 2026 EPR fees in Oregon for paper products range from $160/ton for cardboard to as much as $1,020/ton for paper laminates. Paper laminates are typically used for food packaging. These fees act like a hidden tax, called a consumption tax, on essentials such as groceries and household goods. The consumption tax hits working families the hardest.

California Restarted Over Costs

In 2025, Governor Newsom directed CalRecycle to restart the regulations for SB 54 (2022). A state analysis showed the initial proposed rules could have cost businesses over $8,000 a year and Californian families about $330 a year. Total implementation costs would have been $36.6 billion. California is currently reworking the proposed regulations for SB 54.