Webinar Topic: The Basics of EPR in the Great Lakes Region

Co-Hosted by: Council of the Great Lakes Region and Product Stewardship Institute

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is gaining momentum across North America, and the Great Lakes region is no exception. As policymakers, local governments, and stakeholders prepare to engage in discussions about stewardship policies for packaging, batteries, paint, and more, it’s critical to start with a shared foundation of knowledge.

This introductory webinar will provide a clear and accessible overview of EPR principles, explaining why they matter and how they’re being applied in the U.S. and Canada. Our expert speakers will explain the core mechanics of EPR and highlight the environmental, economic, and equity benefits that drive adoption.

Attendees will hear case studies from early programs, explore how EPR interacts with existing recycling systems, and gain clarity on the roles stakeholders play. The session will also address common myths and misconceptions before closing with audience Q&A.

Meet our Speakers:

Christina Seibert | Executive Director, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

Christina Seibert is the Executive Director for the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), an intergovernmental agency facilitating waste management operations, programs, and policy for its 23 member municipalities and 800,000 residents in northwest suburban Chicago.  She has 25 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling arena and is the President of the Product Stewardship Institute’s Board of Directors, President of the Illinois Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), chair of the Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council, co-chair of the Illinois Task Force on Recycling Contamination Solutions, chair of the Illinois Electronics Recycling Task Force, and member of the Illinois Product Stewardship Council.

Ally Walker | Program Officer, Circular Economy
Ally Walker is the Program Officer of Circular Economy at the Council of the Great Lakes Region, where she leads several key projects under the Circular Great Lakes initiative, including the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, Boat Wrap Recycling Program, Dart Stormwater Grant, Return to Retail Takeback Program, and Legislative Outreach and Education project. Since joining CGLR in 2022, Ally has combined her background in sustainability policy, regional recycling systems, and stakeholder engagement to drive cross-sector solutions that advance a more circular economy. She holds a Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and is passionate about building lasting change through informed policymaking and collaboration.

Scott Cassel | CEO & Founder, Product Stewardship Institute
Scott Cassel has over 40 years of experience addressing waste management issues in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In 2000, he founded the Product Stewardship Institute, a policy expert and consulting nonprofit that pioneered product stewardship in the United States and has helped enact 141 EPR laws across 20 product categories in 33 states — the bedrock of the circular economy. Prior to founding PSI, Scott served for seven years as the director of waste policy and planning for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, where he developed and implemented solid and hazardous waste management policies and programs. As PSI’s CEO, he developed the widely acclaimed facilitation process that the organization uses for stakeholder engagement and consensus-building — a process that resulted in the nation’s first industry-run, government-mandated paint stewardship program. In 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) appointed Scott to its Marine Debris Foundation board of directors, where he works on policy, infrastructure development, and innovative technologies to clean up and prevent pollution of our waterways and ocean.