How to Meet Sustainability and EPR Standards
In the European Union all packaging will be required to be recyclable by 2030. A growing number of American states are following suit with similar requirements, especially those initiating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
What is EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)?
EPR shifts accountability for a product beyond the point of sale. Instead of waste management falling solely to consumers or municipalities, producers take responsibility for what happens after their products are used. That responsibility can be financial, operational, or both. In practice, it means producers help fund and support the systems that collect, sort, and process materials at the end of their life.
Most packaging EPR programs require producers to join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). This organization acts on behalf of its members to manage compliance and execute a broader sustainability plan. Whether you are a PRO or an individual producer wanting to comply with these policies or increase sustainability overall, SunDance can help. We are also happy to get involved early and provide additional details for your formal plan.
How to Comply
Laws and policies can vary in what products or industries they cover, what the targets are, timelines, and even the definitions of producer or recycling. Here are some common ones, and what SunDance has available to comply.
| Requirement | SunDance Solution |
|---|---|
| Recycled Content Targets | Various materials anywhere up to 100% PCR, depending on product |
| Material Specific Targets | Various materials from specially selected vendors; SunDance is a PFAS-free facility |
| Life Cycle Emissions | SunDance is a certified Sustainable Green Printer and FSC Chain of Custody certified; we even have carbon-neutral (VERs) suppliers who use 100% certified wind energy |
| Reuse | SunDance is a certified Sustainable Green Printer which includes reuse and recycling targets. See our 2025 recycling numbers. |
| Light Weighting | Flexible packaging is a fraction of the weight of plastic or glass packaging; we offer many styles, sizes, and materials |
| Recyclability | Various curbside and industrially recyclable materials, depending on product |
| Renewably Sourced | SunDance is FSC Chain of Custody certified |
| Vendor Labor Policies | Operating completely in central Florida, we are proud of our skilled team and happy to provide labor policy information |
| Vendor Community Outreach | Our Sustainability & Community Committee keeps us well grounded in our local community, from sponsorships to toy drives and blood drives to cleanup days |
| Vendor Recycling/Sustainability Standards | SunDance is a certified Sustainable Green Printer |
| US Manufactured | All SunDance’s operations take place in Orlando, Florida |
We can help
These are standards we have held ourselves to for many years, and materials we have researched and long made available to our clients. We were the first offset printer in Florida to be certified as a Sustainable Green Printer. Whether your compliance deadline is fast approaching or you are planning for the future, we won’t be scrambling for solutions; we have them ready to go. SunDance exists to solve problems for our clients, partners, and team members.
We have state-specific guides coming soon. As always, feel free to contact us to discuss more specifics with one of our packaging specialists.
Resource: For updated tracking of EPR proposals/passed legislation/policies in all US states, see the EPR Guide at SustainablePackaging.org.
Orlando native Sarah Fowler Wolfe brings nearly two decades of experience to SunDance, specializing in digital and inbound marketing from their early days. She holds a bachelors degree from Florida State University (Go Noles!) and has had the opportunity to work in many industries including IT/SaaS, nonprofit, government, construction, and transportation. She loves clear communication, effective visuals, and building strong professional relationships.