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SF 2619

Paper products exemption from the extended producer responsibility program managing solid waste provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Hoffman and 1 co-sponsor

Minnesota bill exempts paper products from extended producer responsibility program, shifting waste management costs from manufacturers back to municipalities.

Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
#commerceandcommercedepartment #wasteandwastemanagement
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Bill Summary · SF 2619

Legislative bill overview

SF 2619 proposes to exempt paper products from Minnesota's extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for managing solid waste. Extended producer responsibility programs typically require manufacturers and retailers to manage the end-of-life disposal or recycling of their products. This bill would carve out paper products—including items like packaging, newsprint, and paper containers—from these obligations.

Why is this important

EPR programs shift waste management costs from municipalities and taxpayers to producers, potentially incentivizing sustainable product design. Exempting paper products could reduce compliance costs for paper manufacturers and retailers, but may increase disposal costs for local governments and limit market incentives for paper product sustainability improvements. Paper comprises a significant portion of municipal solid waste streams.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry cost allocation: Exempting paper shifts responsibility back to municipalities while other product categories remain under producer obligations, creating an uneven regulatory framework
  • Environmental incentives: Removing paper from EPR programs eliminates market pressure on producers to reduce packaging, improve recyclability, or use recycled content
  • Program viability: If major waste streams like paper are exempted, EPR programs may struggle financially to manage remaining covered products and achieve waste reduction goals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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