This June 3-5, product stewardship leaders from around the country (and world) gathered in Wheeling, Illinois, to celebrate PSI鈥檚 25th anniversary and advance critical conversations about extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the first day of the Forum, we successfully launched our Packaging EPR Harmonization Dialogue with 55 participants, while another 35 attendees participated in an EPR 101 Crash Course, gaining foundational insights into product stewardship. The remaining two days featured multiple sessions on packaging EPR, featuring key government regulators and legislators, producers, and recyclers. Practical solutions were also shared for challenging products such as batteries, vapes, textiles, household hazardous waste, paint, gas cylinders, and medical waste. Various panels highlighted PSI鈥檚 seminal achievements from its founding and throughout its 25 years.
The celebration included a lively gala with contemporary blues performed by Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles and his band. At the gala, PSI honored extraordinary leadership and innovation in EPR:
- EPR Legislative Leader Award: Maryland State Senator Malcolm Augustine
- EPR Pioneer Award: Abby Boudouris (Oregon DEQ) and Jen Holliday (Chittenden Solid Waste District, VT)
- Corporate Stewardship Excellence Award: GDB International and American Coatings Association/PaintCare
- EPR Global Mentor Award: Joachim Quoden (Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance)
- Environmental Leader Award: Doug Kobold (California Product Stewardship Council)
- EPR Local Leader Award: Christina Seibert (SWANCC), Marta Keane (Will County), Walter Willis (SWALCO), Adrian Tan (King County), McKenna Morrigan (City of Seattle)
- Rising Star in EPR Award: Mallory Anderson (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
- Innovator in Product Stewardship Award: PARTSLIFE and Little Kamper
We’re proud to recognize these remarkable contributors to the EPR community.