The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) expressed disappointment following a court decision denying its motion to join the legal challenge to Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act. AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock confirmed that the association will continue to pursue all available legal and strategic options to protect the interests of its members.
“We are disappointed by the court’s decision denying our motion to join the challenge to Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act. While we respectfully disagree with the ruling, AF&PA remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options to protect our members’ interests,” said Brock.
As the implementation of Oregon’s recycling program progresses, AF&PA highlighted concerns that the legislation introduces what it considers significant and unnecessary burdens on paper products, despite paper being among the most widely recycled materials in the United States.
According to the association, these burdens include higher-than-expected fees, expanded reporting and compliance requirements, and policy mechanisms that shift additional costs onto paper manufacturers without delivering substantial improvements in recycling performance.
“As Oregon’s program moves into implementation, it is becoming clear that the law imposes significant and unnecessary burdens on paper products that are already among the most successfully recycled materials in the United States,” Brock stated.
AF&PA also indicated that it will continue to collaborate with partners and legal advisors to seek adjustments to the regulatory framework, aiming to ensure that recycling policies remain practical, evidence-based, and do not increase costs across the supply chain for businesses and consumers.
“We will continue working closely with partners and counsel to secure meaningful relief for our members and ensure that recycling policies are workable, fact-based and do not increase costs across the supply chain for businesses and consumers alike,” Brock concluded.
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