Jason Bergquist

Critical EPR Developments Shaping the U.S. Landscape: What You Need To Know

Jason Bergquist, CEO, RecycleMe - North America

In this presentation, Jason will explore the evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the U.S., beginning with a roadmap of how the current landscape emerged. He’ll cover the core principles of EPR, the status of adoption across states, and the significant challenges created by a fragmented and politically complex environment. Drawing on insights from the 2025 data reporting cycle, Jason will highlight key lessons learned, particularly for plastic and packaging producers. He will examine the barriers to harmonizing EPR standards and the implementation issues caused by regulatory fragmentation. Jason will also focus on areas where Producers can “lean into” Harmonization. The session will conclude with best practices for effective EPR adoption to enhance environmental outcomes and support more unified compliance strategies.

Jason Bergquist is the CEO at RecycleMe - North America, the consulting division of Reclay Group International. With more than 35 years of industry experience, Jason has led commercial and municipal waste divisions, material recovery operations across six states, and bottle bill redemption programs in Maine, New York, and California. His career spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, bringing a global perspective to recycling and resource management. Jason holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from John F. Kennedy School of Law and has provided regulatory guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, container deposit legislation, Superfund compliance, and hazardous waste management.