Why Statewide Needs Assessments Are Needed Before EPR

Needs assessments have the potential to look at all different aspects of how a state manages recycling and waste. That can include information on:

• Existing recycling, compost and disposal infrastructure
• Access to curbside recycling
• The state of urban and rural recycling
• State compost standards
• Current recycling rates for paper, plastic, metals, glass and other materials
• What is and is not considered recyclable
• How much recyclable material goes to landfills

This data helps states understand what's working well within their recycling system. They also identify issues the state needs to work on in the future.

States can also do waste characterization studies. These help states discover how much paper, food, metal and more is ending up in their waste streams by reviewing the material collected.

This is helpful but doesn't look at the full picture of a state's entire infrastructure like a needs assessment does.