The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in the US has confirmed the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) as the producer responsibility organisation (PRO) to carry out the state's Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act.

This move makes Minnesota the third US state to formally approve CAA as the initial PRO to manage packaging throughout its life cycle.

Under the act, CAA will coordinate with producers to develop plans, implement the programme, provide technical assistance, and report on progress. These producers will pay fees to cover at least 90% of the costs of managing the state's packaging and paper products by 2031.

In 2023, CAA became the first PRO in the US to implement an extended producer responsibility (EPR) programme for paper and packaging after being appointed in the state of Colorado.

Subsequently, in 2024, CAA was approved by CalRecycle in California and selected by the Maryland Department of Environment to serve on the State Producer Responsibility Advisory Council.

On 6 December 2024, CAA submitted its revised programme plan to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, preparing for the implementation of state's Recycling Modernization Act by 1 July 2025.

Companies expected to be considered producers under the pending Minnesota act are encouraged to engage with CAA's producer resource centre for more information and to begin the registration process.

CAA CEO Jeff Fielkow said: “We are honoured to be confirmed by the MPCA as Minnesota’s PRO and look forward to collaborating to advance the goals of the state’s ambitious EPR law.

“Over the past three years we have been building tools, processes, plans, and a strong team to implement packaging EPR programmes in California, Colorado, and Oregon.

“This work enables us to immediately find efficiencies for producers in Minnesota, and scale best practices so we can reduce waste and recycle more in the state and across the country.”