Maryland has officially joined a growing cohort of states with extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging, as Governor Wes Moore signed Senate Bill 901 (SB 901) into law. The landmark legislation positions Maryland as the sixth state in the U.S. to require packaging producers to fund and manage end-of-life packaging waste through a structured statewide program.
The new law, described by supporters as collaborative and data-informed, introduces a phased approach to implementation that will culminate in producers covering up to 90% of program costs by 2030. Funds will be directed toward improving Maryland’s recycling and composting infrastructure, enhancing outreach and education, and advancing packaging reuse initiatives. The legislation establishes ecomodulated fees that encourage the use of more sustainable packaging formats by charging producers based on the recyclability, compostability, or reusability of their materials.
