Date: December 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
Location: Zoom

Webinar Topic: Advancing EPR in the Great Lakes Region

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

Across the Great Lakes region, conversations around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) had moved beyond the basics toward detailed program design and implementation. This advanced session was tailored for policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders with prior exposure to EPR who were seeking deeper insights into next steps for their states and provinces.

Building on recent legislative progress in the U.S. and Canada, panelists examined emerging best practices and critical decision points in program development. Topics included governance models, oversight structures, eco-modulated fee schedules, data and reporting systems, and the evolving roles of municipalities and producer responsibility organizations (PROs). The session also explored harmonization opportunities across jurisdictions, drawing lessons from Ontario’s oversight framework and U.S. packaging EPR laws already in motion.

Attendees gained practical strategies for addressing challenges such as producer registration, performance standards, compliance auditing, and ensuring equity in access and service. The discussion also looked ahead to how EPR could be leveraged to support broader climate and circular economy goals.

This deep dive provided Great Lakes leaders with actionable insights for program design and implementation, as well as a forum for peer-to-peer discussion during a moderated Q&A.