Category Compliance: Navigating US Packaging Regulations for Food & Beverage Brands

Category Compliance: Navigating US Packaging Regulations for Food & Beverage Brands

EPR, Truth in Recycling, PCR laws—and what they actually mean for your brand

If you're selling food or beverages in the US, packaging compliance isn't optional anymore.

EPR laws are expanding to 7 states (and counting). Truth in Recycling regulations are cracking down on misleading recyclability claims. PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled content) mandates are hitting beverage brands particularly hard.

This session is your guide to the compliance landscape every food and beverage brand needs to understand in 2026.

What We're Covering:

1. EPR for Food & Beverage: What's Different in 2026

• Why food packaging creates unique compliance challenges
• State-by-state requirements: Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Maryland, Washington
• Material reporting for pouches, film, cartons, and multi-layer packaging
• May 31, 2026 reporting deadline for 6 states aka "CAA Day" and what you need to know

2. Truth in Recycling Laws:

• California's new restrictions on recyclability claims (SB 343)
• What "actually recyclable" means
• How to label packaging when it's NOT recyclable everywhere

3. PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled Content) Requirements

• California beverage container mandates (15-25% recycled content by 2030)
• How PCR laws interact with EPR reporting
• Material availability challenges

4. Navigating Multiple Compliance Frameworks

• How EPR, Truth in Recycling, and PCR data requirements overlap
• Building a compliance strategy that addresses all three
• When to tackle packaging redesign

Who Should Attend:

• Food & beverage sustainability managers navigating multi-state compliance
• Packaging directors dealing with EPR + recyclability + PCR requirements
• Operations leaders trying to coordinate compliance across brands
• Anyone who's ever asked "Wait, we need to report what to how many states?"

What You'll Walk Away With:

→ Clear understanding of EPR requirements for food & beverage packaging

→ Compliance roadmap for Truth in Recycling labeling laws

→ PCR content requirements timeline and strategy

→ Tools to assess which regulations apply to your specific packaging formats

→ Next steps for building an integrated compliance program