Minnesota ranks high for its recycling rate, but it still has a waste problem, putting more pressure on local governments.
A plan in the Legislature aims to incentivize more product makers to adapt.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says in an e-commerce world, packaging materials and printed paper now account for 40% of the state's waste stream. And it's expected to grow. But local facilities aren't equipped to sort and recycle all the latest products sent their way.
The World Wildlife Fund is among those encouraging the state to create a program where companies that produce these materials would pay a fee. Erin Simon, WWF's vice president and head of plastic waste and business, predicts it would help in a big way.
"It pays for the right technology to separate and process those materials into really high-quality recycled content," Simon said.
Supporters say shifting the cost burden also incentivizes producers to use materials that are easier to recycle to begin with. An advisory board would be created to oversee the transition.
Four other states are launching similar programs. The Minnesota bill has cleared the committee stage, but it has skeptics, including those worried about market disruptions within the current waste and recycling system.
These initiatives are referred to as Extended Producer Responsibility programs, and Simon argues spurring more adoption among government agencies can help stop waste from entering landfills and hurting ecosystems.
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Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy