The American Forest & Paper Association on Monday filed to take part in National Association of Wholesale Distributors v. Leah Feldon, et al. and requested the same temporary pause the court granted NAW.

“Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies continue to move in the wrong direction. In states like Oregon, EPR is poised to result in escalating fees, limited transparency, and added complexity while failing to recognize the existing, highly effective paper recycling system,” said American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock.

Brock added: “Our industry continuously invests to improve paper recycling. And we have a significant stake throughout the recycling value chain, including designing products to be recycled, expanding mill-based infrastructure that utilizes recycled paper, and operating over 100 materials recovery facilities (MRFs).

“Rather than penalizing materials like paper and paper packaging that are already widely recycled, policymakers should prioritize approaches that build on existing success and deliver measurable improvements. Treating all materials the same, regardless of recycling performance, ignores decades of progress and distorts recycling markets.

“Paper’s strong recycling track record demonstrates that effective systems already exist. AF&PA continues to urge policymakers to support recycling policies that are fair, effective, and grounded in data—not blanket mandates that add cost and discourage innovation.”