In the US, recent measures taken by state legislatures will result in changes in 2025 to the packaging used, distributed, or collected by restaurants, retail outlets, hotels, events, and state organisations.
Updates to bottle bills and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations in certain states are also part of the upcoming adjustments.
As of 1 January 2025, the state of California formally enforced Senate Bill (SB) 1046, a law passed in 2022, which mandates that stores within the region can only distribute pre-checkout bags – such as those for loose produce – if they are compostable or made from recycled paper.
This move is expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic bag waste in the state.
In Delaware, an update on 2023 legislation will see restaurants and other foodservice establishments prohibited from providing polystyrene foam containers for their food or beverages from 1 July this year.
This legislation also extends to single-service items such as plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks, and sandwich picks.
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Illinois is also taking action to promote sustainability at large events. As of 1 January 2025, events with more than 3,500 attendees will be required to provide access to recycling and composting bins, facilitating responsible waste management.
Additionally, the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act will come into effect in July, targeting hotels with 50 or more rooms, which will no longer be allowed to offer small, single-use plastic personal care bottles. By 1 January 2026, this regulation will apply to all hotels in the state.
Under SB 58, which amended the Degradable Plastic Act in 2023, state agencies must develop plans to reduce single-use plastics by 50% by 2031 and 75% by 2036.
In Maine, a 2023 bottle bill update will enable workers at redemption centres to sort containers by material types such as plastic, glass, steel, and aluminium, from this year.
This is a shift from the previous requirement to sort by brand.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has taken a firm stance on PFAS, with a ban on intentionally added PFAS in 11 product categories, including carpets, cleaning products, cookware, and cosmetics, effective from 1 January 2025.
