The Toy Association™ Alerts Industry of EPR Updates in Maine

February 5, 2025 | Maine is rolling out its new Stewardship Program for Packaging, which officially took effect on December 25, 2024 and will be implemented gradually over the next few years. The goal of the program, which will be fully operational in 2027, is for companies that produce packaging materials to take responsibility for managing and recycling them.

The Toy Association is alerting members of the next key steps for this program:

• By March 2025, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will release a draft list categorizing different types of packaging materials.
• The public will have a chance to provide feedback through written comments.
• A stakeholder meeting will be held on April 16, 2025, both in person and online, to discuss the draft list. The Toy Association will provide members with details once they are available.

• A Request for Information (RFI) will go out this spring to gather input on how to run the program.
• A Request for Proposals (RFP) will follow in fall 2025 to find an organization that will manage the program.
• By spring 2026, Maine will select and contract with a Stewardship Organization (SO) to oversee operations.

• Once the SO is in place, companies that create packaging will need to register and pay fees based on the materials they use.
• In spring 2027, producers will report on their 2026 packaging materials.
• By fall 2027, producers will pay fees to the SO, which will then be used to reimburse municipalities for packaging waste costs incurred in 2026.

Click here for a more detailed timeline. Members may reach out to [email protected] with any questions.  

The Toy Association will continue to keep the industry apprised of ongoing developments regarding state Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. For more information on The Toy Association’s advocacy initiatives at the state level or to join the State Government Affairs Committee, contact The Toy Association’s Charlotte Hickcox.