As a hospitality and foodservice executive, you’re facing an unprecedented regulatory shift that will fundamentally impact your operations, compliance requirements, and supply chain strategy. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws aren’t just environmental legislation – they’re business-critical mandates that require immediate strategic planning and operational adjustments.
While consumer environmental concerns continue to grow slowly, regulatory requirements are accelerating rapidly, creating compliance deadlines that cannot be ignored. For leaders managing restaurants, hotels, amusement parks, casinos, resorts, cruise operations, event venues, and catering companies, the message is clear: EPR compliance is not optional, and the timeline for implementation is now.
The Regulatory Reality: Compliance Deadlines Are Here
California’s SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, represents the most aggressive single-use packaging mandate in U.S. history. By 2032, 100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware must be either recyclable or compostable. This isn’t a voluntary sustainability initiative – it’s legal compliance that affects every aspect of your foodservice operations.
For hospitality executives, this means every disposable item in your operation – from guest room amenities to restaurant takeout containers, from casino beverage service to cruise dining operations – must meet these new standards. The regulatory framework eliminates traditional plastic alternatives, requiring strategic shifts in procurement, vendor relationships, and operational procedures.
Beyond California: Your Multi-Location Compliance Challenge
The regulatory momentum extends far beyond California, creating a comprehensive network of EPR laws that will impact your multi-location operations.
State-Level EPR Implementation: Maine and Oregon were the first states to enact EPR packaging laws in 2021, followed by California and Colorado in 2022, and Minnesota in 2024. Oregon made headlines as the first U.S. state to activate its packaging EPR law under the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), with over 1,700 producers submitting reports by the March 31, 2025 deadline.
Recently Enacted States: Maryland and Washington became the sixth and seventh states, respectively, to pass legislation to create EPR programs for packaging in 2025. Maryland’s SB 901 was signed into law on May 13, 2025, and uniquely allows multiple Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO) to operate the program. The EPR law additionally seeks to incentivize use of recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging. Washington’s EPR bill was signed into law on May 17, 2025.
Municipal Requirements Creating Operational Complexity:
- California Cities: Berkeley, Yountville, Sonoma, and Carmel require at least 50% of food packaging materials to be compostable, recyclable, or reusable
- Seattle, Washington: Complete ban on single-use food service packaging that is not recyclable or compostable, including plastic straws, utensils, and portion cups
- Annapolis, Maryland: Comprehensive polystyrene food packaging bans with county and state-level enforcement
Critical Implementation Timelines:
- Oregon: Fee payments due July 1, 2025
- Colorado: Non-compliant producers barred from selling July 1, 2025
- California: Producer reporting deadline November 2025
For executives managing operations across multiple states, this patchwork of regulations creates significant compliance complexity that requires standardized, proactive solutions.
The Strategic Risk of Voluntary Sustainability Failures
Industry data reveals why regulatory mandates have become necessary. According to Gartner’s research, 90% of public sustainable packaging commitments made by companies won’t be met by 2025, primarily due to continued reliance on fossil-based plastics and single-use packaging. Additionally, 75% of organizations that established voluntary sustainable packaging targets will sunset those goals by 2028, not due to abandoning sustainability, but because legislative requirements are making voluntary approaches obsolete.
For executives, this data represents both a warning and an opportunity. Companies that failed to proactively address sustainability through voluntary commitments now face mandatory compliance with strict timelines and financial penalties for non-compliance.
Industry-Specific Operational Impact
The scope of EPR compliance extends throughout your entire operation:
Restaurant Operations: Every disposable item – straws, plates, trays, cups, takeout containers, delivery packaging – must meet compostable or recyclable standards. This affects franchise operations, corporate locations, quick-service concepts, and fine dining establishments equally.
Hotel and Resort Management: Room service packaging, amenity containers, event supplies, pool and spa disposables, and conference materials all fall under EPR requirements. Multi-property operators face particularly complex compliance challenges across different regulatory jurisdictions.
Entertainment and Gaming: Amusement parks, casinos, and entertainment venues must ensure all concession packaging, promotional materials, and guest service items meet EPR standards. High-volume operations create significant procurement and waste management implications.
Event and Catering Services: Wedding venues, corporate event spaces, and catering operations must source compliant packaging for all disposable items, affecting cost structures, vendor relationships, and operational procedures.
Cruise and Transportation: Maritime operations face unique challenges with limited storage, international waters considerations, and port-specific disposal requirements that must align with EPR compliance.
Quality Standards and Certification Requirements
EPR laws don’t just require compostable packaging – they mandate properly certified compostable solutions. Emerging legislation requires verified third-party certification (e.g., BPI Certification) before products can be labeled compostable, creating clear quality standards that protect your operations from non-compliant suppliers.
AB 1201 requires products labeled “compostable” to be an “allowable agricultural organic input” under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). This certification framework ensures you’re sourcing legitimate compostable alternatives that meet regulatory requirements and operational performance standards.
For procurement executives, this means vendor qualification processes must now include certification verification, supply chain auditing, and compliance documentation to ensure your operations meet regulatory standards.
Financial and Operational Implications
EPR compliance creates both costs and financial risks that require strategic planning:
Compliance Costs: Regulatory requirements, certification processes, and administrative overhead create new operational expenses that must be planned and budgeted across your organization.
Non-Compliance Penalties: EPR laws include significant financial penalties for non-compliance, making regulatory adherence a critical financial risk management issue.
Supply Chain Disruption: Transitioning from traditional packaging suppliers to certified compostable alternatives requires vendor relationship management, inventory planning, and operational adjustment.
Multi-Location Complexity: Organizations with operations across multiple EPR jurisdictions face complicated compliance requirements that demand standardized solutions and centralized procurement strategies.
The Competitive Advantage of Early Compliance
Forward-thinking hospitality executives are recognizing that early EPR compliance creates competitive advantages:
Operational Standardization: Implementing compostable packaging solutions now allows you to standardize operations across all locations, simplifying procurement and reducing regulatory complexity.
Brand Positioning: Early compliance positions your organization as a regulatory leader rather than a compliance follower, enhancing brand reputation with environmentally conscious consumers and corporate clients.
Supply Chain Security: Establishing relationships with certified compostable packaging suppliers now ensures supply chain stability as demand increases and competition for compliant suppliers intensifies.
Cost Predictability: Locking in supply relationships and pricing before widespread industry adoption provides cost predictability and potential savings compared to last-minute compliance purchasing.
Strategic Planning for Multi-Location Operations
Successful EPR compliance requires strategic planning that addresses:
Centralized Procurement: Standardizing on certified compostable packaging solutions across all locations simplifies compliance, reduces costs, and ensures consistent operational standards.
Vendor Qualification: Implementing rigorous supplier certification processes ensures your packaging partners meet all regulatory requirements and can scale with your operational needs.
Staff Training: Educating operational staff on EPR requirements, proper disposal procedures, and compliance documentation ensures consistent implementation across your organization.
Waste Management Integration: Coordinating with waste management partners to ensure proper composting infrastructure and disposal procedures support your packaging compliance efforts.
Taking Action: Your Compliance Strategy
The regulatory timeline for EPR compliance is accelerating, and strategic preparation is essential for operational success. Organizations that act now can ensure compliance, control costs, and maintain operational efficiency while competitors scramble to meet mandatory deadlines.
Immediate Action Items:
- Audit current disposable packaging across all operations and locations
- Identify EPR requirements for each operational jurisdiction
- Evaluate certified compostable packaging alternatives
- Develop vendor qualification and procurement processes
- Create implementation timelines aligned with regulatory deadlines
Strategic Partnership Opportunity: Rather than managing EPR compliance as an operational burden, forward-thinking executives are recognizing the value of partnering with established compostable packaging suppliers who understand regulatory requirements, maintain proper certifications, and can scale solutions across complex multi-location operations.
Your Next Step: Compostable Solutions Consultation
EPR compliance represents both a regulatory requirement and a strategic business opportunity. The complexity of sourcing certified compostable packaging that meets both regulatory standards and operational performance requirements demands expert guidance and proven solutions.
Our team specializes in providing compostable packaging solutions designed specifically for restaurant, hotel, entertainment, and foodservice operations. We understand the unique demands of high-volume service, operational efficiency requirements, and the need for reliable products that perform under real-world conditions.
Contact us today to schedule your compostable solutions consultation and discover how our products can meet your regulatory requirements while maintaining the operational performance your business demands.
Don’t wait for regulatory deadlines to force rushed decisions. Partner with us now to secure your compostable packaging supply chain and position your organization for seamless compliance in the new regulatory landscape.
For more information visit our website: www.nantbr.com or send us an email to [email protected]