Two forces reshaping how the world buys food packaging
If you source food packaging for a business in the US, EU, Canada, or Latin America, two regulatory forces are about to change your cost structure, supplier requirements, and material choices. The first is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — a wave of laws making companies financially responsible for the packaging waste they create. The second is the rapid growth of Latin America as both a packaging market and a regulatory innovator. Together, these forces are reshaping procurement decisions for food service businesses worldwide.
This article explains what EPR means for food packaging buyers in practical terms, maps the current regulatory landscape across key markets, and explores why Latin America is becoming an increasingly important region for packaging procurement professionals to understand.
What is EPR and why should food packaging buyers care
Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach where companies that produce, distribute, or sell packaged products are held financially responsible for managing the end-of-life disposal of that packaging. In practice, this means paying fees to fund recycling infrastructure, meeting recycling and recovery targets, and reporting detailed data on packaging materials used.
For food service businesses, EPR changes the economics of packaging in three important ways. First, it adds direct costs — EPR fees are typically charged per pound or per unit of packaging placed into the market. Second, it creates material incentives — fees are often lower for easily recyclable materials (paper, cardboard) and higher for hard-to-recycle materials (multi-layer plastics, foam). Third, it requires documentation — businesses must track and report what packaging materials they use, in what quantities, and through which channels.
The bottom line: your choice of packaging material now directly affects your regulatory compliance costs, not just your unit price.
EPR laws in the United States: state by state
The US has no federal EPR law for packaging. Instead, individual states are passing their own laws at an accelerating pace. As of early 2026, seven states have enacted EPR packaging statutes: California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. Several more — including New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York — are actively considering similar legislation.
Key timelines that food packaging buyers need to know include California requiring producers to join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) by January 2027, with escalating performance standards through 2032. Colorado required PRO membership by July 2025, with fees due annually. Maine requires producer registration and startup fees in 2026, with full implementation in 2027. Oregon began program implementation in July 2025 with active fee collection. Washington requires PRO membership in 2026, with full implementation by 2032. Maryland requires producer registration by July 2026.
The practical impact for food packaging buyers is significant. In Oregon, for example, EPR fees range from near zero for corrugated cardboard to over $1.30 per pound for certain plastic packaging. Businesses in Oregon collectively face approximately $100 million per year in aggregate PRO fees. This creates a strong financial incentive to choose packaging materials with lower EPR fee rates — which generally means switching from plastic to paper and fiber-based alternatives.
EPR in the European Union
The EU has had EPR frameworks for packaging since the 1990s, making it the most mature EPR market globally. The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), taking effect from 2026-2030, significantly strengthens these requirements. All packaging must be recyclable by 2030. Minimum recycled content targets apply to plastic packaging. PFAS chemicals are banned in food-contact packaging from August 2026. Reusable packaging mandates apply to certain food service categories.
For food packaging buyers selling into or operating in the EU, EPR compliance is not optional — it is a cost of doing business. The advantage of working with suppliers who already provide EU-compliant packaging is that you avoid costly mid-contract material switches when regulations take effect.
EPR in Canada
Canada operates EPR at the provincial level, with British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Alberta, and Nova Scotia all having active or transitioning programs. Canada’s approach is notably aggressive — most provinces aim for producers to fund 90-100% of residential recycling system costs.
A critical development for food packaging buyers: British Columbia has banned compostable plastic food service ware including PLA cups and containers, because the province’s composting infrastructure cannot reliably process them. This means PLA packaging that is legal in other markets may be non-compliant in BC. Fiber-based compostables like bagasse and kraft paper remain fully compliant across all Canadian provinces.
Latin America: the emerging packaging regulation frontier
Latin America is often overlooked in packaging compliance discussions, but the region is rapidly developing its own regulatory framework. Several countries now have active or developing EPR programs for packaging.
Colombia
Colombia launched its EPR program for packaging in 2018, making it one of the earliest adopters in Latin America. Producers must create and manage Environmental Management Plans for packaging waste, with collection and processing targets that increase gradually over time. The program allows producers to work collectively through a PRO or manage compliance individually.
Chile
Chile’s EPR framework dates back to 2016 with Law 20.920, which makes producers responsible for developing and managing packaging waste collection programs and meeting recovery targets. Chile’s program is considered one of the most comprehensive in the region.
Brazil
Brazil requires manufacturers and importers of packaging to create collection plans under Resolution 271/2021. Recovery targets for packaging materials increase gradually, with an initial target of 50% by December 2025. Given Brazil’s massive consumer market — over 210 million people — compliance with Brazilian packaging regulations is essential for any company selling packaged food products in the country.
Peru and Uruguay
Peru and Uruguay both have developing EPR frameworks. Uruguay’s Decree No. 260/007 requires identified producers to have management plans for packaging waste. Peru is working toward implementation of packaging waste management requirements that align with broader Latin American trends.
Argentina and Mexico
Argentina and Mexico are in earlier stages of EPR development but are actively monitoring and learning from their neighbors’ programs. Both countries are expected to introduce more formal packaging EPR requirements in the coming years.
Why Latin America matters for food packaging procurement
Beyond regulation, Latin America presents significant commercial opportunities for food packaging businesses. The region’s food delivery market is growing rapidly — apps like Rappi, iFood, and PedidosYa are expanding across the continent, driving massive demand for takeout packaging. Urbanization and rising middle-class populations are increasing demand for packaged food products. Many Latin American countries are actively promoting sustainable packaging to align with international trade agreements and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment criteria.
For food packaging suppliers, Latin America represents a growing market where early entry and compliance readiness create competitive advantages. For food service buyers operating in the region, understanding local EPR requirements helps avoid penalties and positions your brand favorably with increasingly eco-conscious consumers.
How EPR affects your packaging material choices
The financial structure of EPR programs creates clear winners and losers among packaging materials.
Materials with lower EPR fees include uncoated paper and cardboard, which are easily recyclable with established collection infrastructure. Corrugated cardboard often has near-zero EPR fees. Kraft paper bags and wraps are also favorable due to high recyclability rates. Molded fiber and bagasse containers are compostable and increasingly recognized in EPR frameworks.
Materials with higher EPR fees include multi-layer plastic packaging, which is difficult or impossible to recycle. Expanded polystyrene or foam packaging faces high fees where it is not outright banned. PLA and other compostable plastics face uncertain treatment — some programs classify them with conventional plastics, resulting in higher fees, while others recognize their compostability.
The strategic takeaway: switching from plastic-heavy packaging to paper and fiber-based alternatives reduces both your unit packaging cost and your EPR compliance cost — a double savings that compounds as EPR programs expand.
Practical steps for food packaging buyers
To prepare for the EPR landscape in 2026 and beyond, food packaging buyers should take several concrete steps. Audit your current packaging materials and identify which items carry the highest EPR exposure — typically plastic containers, foam, and multi-layer packaging. Request EPR compliance documentation from your packaging supplier, including material composition data, recyclability certifications, and recycled content percentages. Calculate your potential EPR fee exposure in each state or country where you operate. Develop a transition plan to shift high-EPR-fee packaging items to lower-fee alternatives — paper, cardboard, and fiber-based options. Choose suppliers who proactively provide the documentation and material choices needed for EPR compliance.
How GQTH Pack supports EPR compliance
At GQTH Pack, we help food service businesses navigate the transition to EPR-friendly packaging. Our product range emphasizes paper, kraft, and fiber-based materials that consistently attract the lowest EPR fees across all regulatory frameworks. We provide material composition data sheets for every product, recyclability and compostability certifications where applicable, PFAS-free declarations meeting both US state and EU requirements, and flexible order quantities that let you test EPR-compliant alternatives before committing to large volumes.
Need help understanding your EPR exposure or finding compliant packaging alternatives? Contact us for a free packaging audit and compliance consultation.