It has been a busy year so far for state recycling and waste policy, with legislatures making big decisions about everything from requiring minimum recycled content in plastic bottles to banning single-use products such as bags and foam foodservice packaging. Lawmakers are also taking special interest in topics such as chemical recycling, preemption policy, organics diversion and bottle bills. 

Experts predicted an active legislative season, in part because of growing public concern and political pressure around certain waste issues, and a backlog of bills that didn't pass last year due to the pandemic. While several high-profile proposals failed to gain traction before legislative deadlines, including bills establishing producer responsibility for packaging in California and New York, others in Maine and Oregon made it through.

Catch up on our coverage of the notable developments to date. Please email waste.dive.editors@industrydive.com with any tips or feedback on state policy moves.