NC H882

Establishes extended producer responsibility requiring packaging producers to register with the Department, join a producer responsibility organization, and implement stewardship plans with mandatory reductions in non-reusable packaging (10% at 2 years, scaling to 40% at 8 years) and recycling rates (50% at 5 years, scaling to 90% at 12 years)

Requires producer responsibility organizations to establish participation fees covering collection, processing, and recycling costs, with fees structured to incentivize waste reduction and penalize designs that increase management costs

Bans manufacture and distribution of packaging materials containing 15 categories of toxic substances including PFAS, lead, mercury, cadmium, formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene, with civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation ($25,000 for hazardous waste violations)

Prohibits intentionally added PFAS in food packaging, compostable containers, and packaging components, requiring manufacturers to provide certificates of compliance

Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Environmental Quality for implementation, with most provisions effective October 1, 2025