Navigating Extended Producer Responsibility Laws: What Coffee Businesses Need to Know

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Navigating Extended Producer Responsibility Laws: What Coffee Businesses Need to Know

SEM78PO
June 13, 2025
D137-138

New extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are reshaping how businesses – including coffee roasters, cafés, and suppliers – manage packaging and recycling. These regulations shift responsibility for packaging waste from consumers and municipalities to the businesses that produce and use packaging materials, creating new compliance obligations for coffee businesses.

In Oregon, the NEW Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act introduces producer registration requirements and eco-modulated fees based on packaging materials, with key deadlines beginning in July 2025. Similar laws are already in place in California, Colorado, and Minnesota, making compliance a growing priority for coffee business owners.

EPR laws don’t just affect businesses based in these states – they apply to any business that sells into these markets. If you ship roasted coffee to customers in Oregon, distribute canned cold brew in California, or wholesale green coffee to a roaster in Colorado, your business may be subject to registration, reporting, and compliance fees.

These regulations impact a wide range of coffee businesses, including:

  • Roasters and green coffee importers distributing green or roasted coffee
  • Cafés and coffee shops using branded to-go cups and packaging
  • Ready-to-drink coffee producers selling bottled or canned beverages
  • Wholesale distributors and online retailers shipping packaged coffee into EPR states

Join attorneys from Tonkon Torp as they break down what these laws mean for your business. This session will cover:

  • The Oregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act and key compliance deadlines
  • How EPR laws impact packaging, recycling, and sustainability efforts
  • Compliance requirements for businesses selling into regulated states, including potential fees and reporting obligations
  • Practical steps to minimize risk and stay ahead of regulatory changes

With enforcement approaching, now is the time to understand how these laws will impact your operations. Whether you’re a roaster, retailer, or distributor, this session will provide the essential legal insights you need to stay compliant and avoid costly missteps.

*This workshop has an additional registration fee. Please add it to your badge prior to the event (and receive early bird pricing) or stop by the registration counters onsite.

Speakers
Rachel Melissa, Of Counsel - Tonkon Torp LLP
Maureen Bayer, Of Counsel - Tonkon Torp LLP

Levels

Suitable for All Experience Levels

Fee

FREE

Language

English

Who is this session for?

For coffee roasters, café owners, ready-to-drink beverage producers, and distributors who need to understand and comply with evolving extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws affecting packaging, recycling, and sustainability regulations.
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