We continue to engage and advocate for our principles on effective collection systems to prevent the adoption of poor policy decisions. Why? Because we know what works—for consumers, the environment and business. That’s why we were highly engaged in Washington State, where a joint extended producer responsibility (EPR)/deposit return system (DRS) bill was considered this year. While it did not pass, the bill did carryover to the 2024 session and we remain highly engaged as discussions continue. In Colorado, the first state to pass a true EPR bill just last year which also was supported by ABA, real progress is underway. It became the first state to establish a producer responsibility organization (PRO), called the Circular Action Alliance (CAA). Importantly, CAA is comprised of leading companies from the food, beverage and consumer goods industries, including ABA members The Coca-Cola Company, Keurig Dr Pepper, Niagara Bottling, LLC, and PepsiCo. The PRO must complete its needs assessment by January and present it along with three recycling scenario recommendations to the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee in March. In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation that established an advisory council tasked with making recommendations regarding EPR and a PRO for packaging materials. The Maryland Department of the Environment selected CAA as the PRO administrator. We look forward to reviewing the council’s report, which will be made to the governor and General Assembly next December.