Packtally guide
What is packaging EPR? A plain-English guide for Shopify brands
Packaging EPR laws make brands report the packaging they ship into a state and pay fees on it. What the laws require, which states have them, and what to do.
Short answer: Packaging EPR (extended producer responsibility) laws make the brands whose products are sold into a state report how much packaging they supplied there each year, broken down by material, and pay fees that fund recycling. Seven US states have these laws. Online sales count, so a Shopify brand that ships into those states can be covered even if it has no presence there.
What the laws actually ask for
Most programs ask covered brands, called producers, to do four things:
- Register with the state's producer responsibility organization.
- Report the weight of packaging supplied into the state over a calendar year, by material category: corrugated boxes, paper, each type of plastic, glass, metal and so on.
- Pay fees based on that report. Materials that are harder to recycle usually cost more per pound.
- Keep records showing how the numbers were worked out.
"Packaging" means everything that reaches the customer: the product's own packaging (a jar, a label, a hang tag, a poly bag) and the shipping packaging (the box or mailer, tissue, void fill and tape).
Which states have packaging EPR
As of October 2026, seven states have packaging EPR laws: Oregon, Colorado, California, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland and Maine. Six of them, all but Maine, run their programs through one organization, Circular Action Alliance, which collects reports through a single portal with a shared May 31 deadline.
The programs are at different stages. Oregon and Colorado already collect full reports and fees. California has its own extra rules for plastic. Washington, Minnesota and Maryland currently ask for a simpler report, with full reporting and fees to follow.
Who counts as the producer
For most Shopify brands, the producer is the brand owner: the company whose name is on the product. For the shipping box, most states assign it to whoever packs the order, which can mean a 3PL. California is the main exception and assigns shipping packaging to the brand owner even when a 3PL packs it. Our guide on working out packaging by state covers how this plays out.
Are small brands exempt?
Often, but you may have to claim it. Each state sets a small producer threshold based on revenue, packaging weight or both. California's exemption, for brands under $1 million in California sales, has to be applied for, and Oregon runs a yearly window to claim its exemption. Details are in Do I have to report packaging EPR?
What a Shopify brand needs to get ready
- A year of order data with ship-to states. Shopify already has this.
- A list of every packaging component you ship, with its material and weight. Supplier spec sheets, invoices or a kitchen scale all work, as long as you note the source.
- Rules for which packaging goes with which product and order, so units can be turned into pounds.
- Your revenue figures for the threshold tests, including California sales on their own.
This guide describes the rules as we read them in October 2026, for orientation only. It isn't legal advice, and the programs change often. Check the source for your state before you rely on a number.