The cost of single-use is set to rise, and reuse is more ready than ever to scale.

In the sustainability world, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been a looming trend for years. Now, it’s no longer theoretical—it’s here. For venues, corporations, and institutions that use disposable packaging daily, the economics are shifting rapidly.

On July 1, 2025, our home state of Oregon will becomes the first U.S. state to implement its Recycling Modernization Act, requiring producers to pay directly for the externalities—the environmental costs of single-use packaging. And Oregon isn’t the only state moving forward on this. EPR laws are rolling out rapidly across the country, with legislation already passed in California, Colorado, Maine, Washington, Minnesota, and Maryland, and more states actively working toward similar mandates.

For businesses that operate large-scale venues, events, or campuses, these changes are not abstract policy. They’re about to directly impact your bottom line.

Why States Are Passing EPR Laws

At their core, EPR laws aim to fix a broken system. For decades, the financial and environmental burden of managing packaging waste has fallen on local governments and taxpayers, while companies that produce that waste bear little responsibility.

EPR flips that script by:

• Holding producers accountable for the full lifecycle of their packaging.

• Incentivizing better design through fees tied to environmental impact.

• Funding modern recycling and reuse systems, reducing waste going to landfills.

• Creating market pressure to shift away from single-use and toward reuse and recyclability.

The result? A smarter system where the true costs of packaging are no longer externalized and where businesses are motivated to reduce, reuse, and rethink.

The True Cost of Single-Use is Finally Being Accounted For

Under Oregon’s new EPR Program Plan & fee structure, here are a few of the common material types and their potential fees based on reported volumes: 

• PET #1 thermoformed containers, cups, plates: $0.74 per pound

• PP (#5) - Other Rigid Containers, Cups, Plates, Trays: $0.43 per pound

• PLA (compostable bioplastics): ~$1.09 per pound
  
  

For example, a case of 20 oz PET cups like this standard case weighs approximately 27 pounds. That means EPR will add roughly $21.06 per case starting July 1.

While a few extra cents per cup may sound small, when multiplied across millions of units at stadiums, convention centers, concert halls, and corporate cafeterias, the financial impact adds up quickly.

And Oregon is just the beginning.

A National Trend That’s Accelerating

EPR isn’t a regional experiment. It’s a national movement gaining momentum:

• Oregon: active July 2025

• California: rolling out through 2027

• Colorado: launching 2026

• Maine, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota: ramping up 2026-2040

• In progress: New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and many more
  
  

Currently, around 20% of Americans reside in states where packaging EPR programs have been enacted by state legislatures.

For companies operating nationally, this patchwork is creating complexity and significant future cost exposure.

The message is clear: the era of cheap, disposable packaging is ending, and a new era of accountability and truly sustainable alternatives is taking shape.

Tariffs Are Adding Even More Pressure

Beyond EPR, global trade policies are also driving up the price of single-use packaging:

• New tariffs on plastic and aluminum imports are increasing raw material costs.

• Many disposable products (cups, lids, containers) are still imported, subject to fluctuating duties and shipping costs.

• Manufacturers are already passing these increases down the supply chain.

The combined effect of tariffs and EPR is creating a double squeeze on companies that still rely on single-use packaging.

Reuse: A Business Strategy, Not Just an Environmental One

At Bold Reuse, we’ve spent years helping forward-thinking venues, brands, and corporations future-proof their operations against exactly this type of regulatory and financial volatility.

Our full-service reuse programs eliminate millions of single-use items from the waste stream, while delivering immediate business benefits:

• Predictable costs: You pay for service, not for fluctuating material prices or regulatory fees.

• Operational simplicity: We handle all the collection, washing, logistics, and data reporting for you, making the transition to reuse easy.

• Compliance advantage: Reuse inherently reduces EPR obligations, You’re not on the hook for increased costs each time you order additional packaging. 

• Sustainability leadership: Meet ESG goals and engage customers and sponsors who increasingly expect action, not just talk.

• Discount Eligibility: Companies using reusables may be eligible for discounts for the first import of the reusables into the state. 

Venues That Are Leading the Transition

Stadiums, arenas, and campuses across the country are already proving that reuse works at scale. Bold Reuse partners with professional sports teams, major universities, and global brands to build closed-loop, tech-enabled reuse systems that are reliable, affordable, and operationally seamless. We’ve worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Starbucks, Portland Trail Blazers, AWS, and the Seattle Seahawks to name a few.

Our partners aren’t waiting for legislation to force their hand. Theyare already taking action now to reduce costs, differentiate their experience, and meet rising stakeholder expectations.

The Bottom Line: Single-Use Is Getting More Expensive. Reuse Is Getting Easier.

EPR and tariffs are not the problem—they’re the signal that the system is changing. Companies that act now can avoid future costs, simplify compliance, and lead their industries into a circular economy that’s better for both business and the planet.

At Bold Reuse, we’re ready to help you transition. If your venue, campus, or corporation is ready to reduce your single-use imports and build a more resilient operation, now is the time.