Houston Daily

A recent white paper from the University of Houston’s Energy Transition Institute recommends that the United States adopt a uniform national strategy to address plastic waste and improve recycling efforts.

The document, titled “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastics Packaging: Gaps, Challenges and Opportunities for Policies in the United States,” analyzes the shortcomings of the current patchwork of state laws and proposes policy changes to support a circular plastics economy. The authors suggest that harmonizing state regulations, enhancing data sharing, and reinvesting recycling fees into infrastructure could significantly change how plastics are managed across the country.

“My hope is this research will inform government agencies on what policies could be implemented that would improve how we approach repurposing plastics in the U.S.,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at the University of Houston and one of three co-authors of the report. “Not only will this information identify policies that help reduce waste, but they could also prove to be a boon to the circular economy as they can identify economically beneficial pathways to recycle materials.”

Alongside Krishnamoorti, Debalina Sengupta—assistant vice president and chief operating officer at the Energy Transition Institute—and UH researcher Aparajita Datta contributed to the study. They found that only seven states have enacted EPR laws targeting plastic packaging, while ten others are considering similar legislation. Each state’s different approach has led to inconsistent reporting systems and compliance requirements.

“With each state developing its own reporting system, EPR in the U.S. could have incompatible datasets, which will prevent performance comparison across jurisdictions when collection begins in states,” according to the report. “Even for companies without an international footprint, domestic operations across multiple states will be challenged by compliance requirements with different formats, deadlines, fee structures and incentive criteria.”

The researchers highlight that small businesses often lack resources needed to manage complex reporting obligations under current EPR frameworks. Outdated recycling infrastructure further complicates matters; many facilities still rely on older technologies unsuitable for handling today’s packaging materials.

The report suggests investment in digital infrastructure, workforce training, artificial intelligence applications for sorting and processing facilities, and technical assistance as potential solutions: “Small and midsized businesses must be supported in transitioning away from manual data collection processes. This requires investing in digital infrastructure, providing technical assistance and building capacity.”

Improving public awareness about recycling practices is also seen as crucial by the authors: “Experts repeatedly underscored that public education and awareness about EPR, including among policymakers, are dismal,” according to the report. “Infrastructural limitations, barriers to access and the prevailing belief that curbside recycling is ineffective in the U.S. contribute to public dissatisfaction, misinformation and, in some cases, opposition toward the use of taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ contributions for EPR.”

Launched in 2022, UH’s Energy Transition Institute aims to support communities, industries, and governments as they respond to increasing global energy demands by focusing on practical innovations that complement existing systems while encouraging responsible energy use.