Dive Brief:

• The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), a trade organization that represents private companies in the waste and recycling industry, has announced that it opposes product stewardship mandates for packaging and printed paper.
• The association's concerns include: increased costs to consumers as manufacturers will probably pass along the cost of programs by raising prices; and possible antitrust violations that could be sparked by undercutting competition and stalling recycling rates, while disrupting current recycling programs that are considered successful.
• The organization suggests that instead of a mandated product stewardship program, a better option would include creating stronger recycling laws in the community, expanding the size of recycling bins, increasing public education about recycling and urging manufacturers to use recycled materials.

Dive Insight:

Sharon H. Kneiss, the CEO of NWRA said, "Our industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars building, growing and maintaining our nation's recycling infrastructure and the curbside collection programs that have contributed significantly to Americans' generally high recycling rates. We are already generating less paper waste today than ever before, and packaging recycling rates are higher than ever. Complicating these successes through government mandates is a mistake."