Spring 2026 marks a critical moment for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation in the United States, with May 31st reporting deadlines aligning across multiple states.
If you sell pet food, treats, or other packaged products in key U.S. states, these requirements likely apply to you.
EPR regulation requires producers to fund and manage the recycling of their packaging materials and shifts waste management costs from taxpayers to producers. For producers of pet food, treats, and other packaging-intensive products, understanding these developments is essential not only for compliance, but for long-term business strategy.
Below is a comprehensive overview of key deadlines, emerging regulatory trends, and practical resources to help companies in the pet industry navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
What are the Spring 2026 EPR deadlines?
The most important deadline to be aware of this season is May 31st, 2026, which reflects a growing effort among states to harmonize EPR obligations.
May 31st is the deadline for:
- California’s Annual Supply Report and Annual Source Reduction Report (using 2025 data)
- Oregon & Colorado’s Annual Supply Reports (using 2025 data)
- Washington, Minnesota, and Maryland’s Simplified Supply Reports
Visit the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) website Producer Resource Center, which has the most up-to-date and centralized resources and information for EPR reporting obligations and registration.
What is New: Source Reduction Requirements
he state of California has shared requirements for both Individual Source Reduction (ISR) Plans, as well as Annual Source Reduction Reporting. For additional information, rePurpose Global released a comprehensive blog post on California’s Plastic Source Reduction Mandates. The CAA is expected to publish the California Bonus/Malus fee schedule on May 1st, 2026, which will further clarify how financial incentives and penalties will be applied based on packaging performance.
To meet these California state source reduction requirements, Producers can pursue several established pathways for reducing plastic packaging.
These include:
- Material switching by transitioning from a plastic covered material to an alternative non-plastic covered material
- Right-sizing and shifting to concentrated or bulk formatting to reduce the plastic per unit
- Alternative compliance through the use of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) content, compared to virgin plastic covered material
- Companies may also pursue elimination strategies, removing plastic packaging components entirely, or invest in reuse & refill systems, which represent a more fundamental shift in packaging but may offer long-term benefits under EPR regulation
Take Action
Beyond deadlines, recent industry events and publications are offering important signals about where EPR and sustainable packaging more broadly are headed. The Annual SPC Impact event was held in Nashville, TN April 21-23rd where the second-annual Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s 2026 Sustainable Packaging Trends Report was presented. Some key takeaways for businesses to take action include:
- Reexamine packaging materials and innovate your business models: companies need to reassess both materials and broader strategies to stay competitive.
- Prepare for stricter “recyclable” standards: State policies are raising the bar, likely favoring packaging that is mono-material, readily curbside recyclable, and supported by strong end markets.
- Build internal readiness for EPR: Engage cross-functional teams, plan for EPR costs in budgets, and treat compliance as a baseline for broader sustainability progress.
Looking Ahead
In this new regulatory environment, EPR is becoming a key driver of change, influencing everything from packaging design and supply chains to budgeting. Companies that treat EPR as an opportunity for innovation, rather than simply a compliance obligation, will be more resilient as policies continue to evolve.
As the pace of change accelerates, staying informed and proactive is essential. With major deadlines approaching and new requirements taking shape, spring 2026 is a pivotal time for producers to assess their readiness and take action.
Ready to turn these insights into action?
Want to learn more about EPR regulation in the US? Find additional resources on PSC’s website including recent webinar, EPR for Pet Brands: Navigating the 2026 Multi-State Deadline, and PSC’s Packaging Legislative Tracker. For additional EPR support and collaboration, consider joining PSC as a member.