Paper Industry Organization AF&PA Joins Oregon EPR Lawsuit According to a report on Packaging Dive, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has filed to join a lawsuit, initiated by the National Association of Whole- saler-Distributors (NAW), that challenges Oregon’s ex- tended producer responsibility for packaging law. AF&PA “requested the same temporary pause the court granted NAW,” the group said in its announcement. There’s been much speculation that NAW’s action could lead to follow-ons in Oregon and other EPR states. The challenges to Oregon’s program come as Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization in the state, is already re-investing in recycling enhancements. Following NAW’s preliminary injunction, CAA had clarified that everything else was moving forward as planned. Oregon launched its first-in-the-nation packaging EPR program last year and CAA began collecting producer fees. According to a mid-February update from CAA, the organization had already contributed $19.5 million to sup- port recycling facilities, distributed $3.1 million to commu- nities for contamination reduction programs, and ordered more than 50,000 recycling carts and 14 trucks for com- munities that lacked access to recycling services, among other actions. In Oregon, the per-pound fees for paper and fiber prod- ucts are largely lower than for other substrates, according to the 2026 producer fee schedule from CAA. “Paper’s strong recycling track record demonstrates that effective systems already exist. AF&PA continues to urge policymakers to support recycling policies that are fair, effective, and grounded in data,” President and CEO Heidi Brock said in a statement Monday. According to AF&PA’s revamped methodology for recycling rates, an estimated 69 percent to 74 percent of cardboard was col- lected in the U.S. in 2024. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which oversees the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Mod- ernization Act and is a key defendant in NAW’s lawsuit, responded in February to the court’s decision on NAW’s preliminary injunction. “Oregon is known as a leader in recycling and is the first in the nation to implement this approach to recycling that brings many parties together to share the costs of re- cycling improvements,” said DEQ Administrator Jen Par- rott, noting that EPR programs “are prevalent in Oregon and around the world, and we’re certain it can work for recycling.” As far as next updates in the NAW lawsuit, the court re- quested that NAW “substantively” respond to defendants’ earlier motion for reconsideration by March 20, and final reply is due by April 3. Following AF&PA’s motion for inter- vention, the defendant is asked to respond by March 23. A five-day court trial was previously scheduled to begin July 13.
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
THE HAIRE GROUP www.hairegroup.com
Haire Group is the premier provider of new machinery for the corrugated industry. From the Apstar line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, the Encore line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters, and the Engico flexo folder glu- er, Haire is able to pair clients with the best machinery solu- tions for the best value to meet their needs. Haire Group’s service department helps its customers maximize uptime and profitability through superior 24/7 service and support, a pre-install training center, and over a million dollars’ worth of spare parts at their offices just outside of Chicago. Haire Group has been the industry’s #1 pre-owned machinery bro- ker and plant equipment appraiser since 1976. HarperLove is the leading provider of specialty adhesives, performance additives, and wet-strength resins to corru- gated packaging manufacturers. With the largest and most experienced field service and technical support team posi- tioned throughout the U.S. and Latin America, HarperLove has a long-standing reputation for providing outstanding service and delivering demonstrable performance improve- ments. HarperLove’s renowned services include not only innovative product development and custom product for- mulation, but also machine and process assessments, ad- hesive formula adjustments, machine tuning, detailed ser- vice reporting, and more. HARPERLOVE www.HarperLove.com Kernic Systems has been a leading global provider of re- cycling equipment solutions since 1978. For over 40 years, Kernic Systems has provided balers, air conveying and dust collection systems, shredders, industrial vacuums, and re- cycling equipment to a wide range of markets. Today, Ker- nic Systems serves customers with an expanded offering of standard products and custom-engineered systems through three primary business divisions: Recycling Solu- tions, Dust Collection and Air Pollution Control, and Material Handling. Kiwiplan provides state-of-the-art software solutions to cor- rugated, folding carton, plastics and flexible packaging fa- cilities around the globe. Kiwiplan’s Total Solution delivers comprehensive, seamless real-time flow of information from sales order management to dynamic total plant scheduling and inventory control through shipping. With deep manu- facturing and distribution expertise, Kiwiplan knows the specific problems customers face and provides the spe- cialized software they need to adapt, compete, and win in today's rapidly changing world. KERNIC SYSTEMS www.kernicsystems.com KIWIPLAN www.kiwiplan.com
32 March 23, 2026
www.boardconvertingnews.com
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker