AF&PA Urges Colorado Governor Polis to Veto EPR Scheme
CONTACT: Tim Ebner
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org
WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Vice President of Industry Affairs Terry Webber issued the following statement in response to the Colorado General Assembly passing HB22-1355, which would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for paper and packaging products:
“Colorado’s ‘Producer Responsibility Program for Recycling’ ignores the fact that paper recycling is a success. More paper by weight gets recycled from municipal waste streams each year than aluminum, glass, steel and plastic combined.
“EPR could shift the economic burden of new recycling regulations from municipalities to Coloradans. These added costs would especially hurt small businesses and low-income households.
“We urge Governor Polis to veto HB22-1355. An EPR scheme is not the right policy approach for sustainable paper products. Colorado should instead focus on addressing underfunded and underdeveloped recycling programs.”