Introducing EPR Academy: Expert Guidance for Packaging Compliance
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging laws are reshaping how businesses manage packaging and compliance in the United States. From California and Colorado to New Jersey and Minnesota, companies are facing new obligations to register, collect data, and report on packaging — often for the first time.
For many compliance managers, sustainability professionals, and executives, the pace of change can feel overwhelming. That’s why Washburn Consulting, in collaboration with advisors and instructors from across the field, has launched the EPR Academy™, a first-of-its-kind training platform designed to help organizations understand and meet these new requirements with confidence.
EPR programs require companies to understand the rules, build internal systems, collect the right data, and issue timely reports. For many businesses, this is unfamiliar territory. The Academy cuts through complexity, making the requirements easier to understand and act on.
-Dr. Michael Washburn, Executive Director of EPR Academy.
Helping Companies Navigate a Shifting Regulatory Landscape
The EPR Academy provides a structured, four- to six-hour self-paced course that covers:
State-by-state packaging regulations and reporting timelines.
Compostability and post-consumer recycled content (PCR) requirements.
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) registration and onboarding.
Packaging optimization strategies and eco-modulation.
International EPR developments in the EU, UK, and Canada.
Participants who complete the program can take an exam to earn a Certificate of Completion, signaling verified expertise in EPR compliance. Enrollment also includes permanent access to the Academy’s Resource Library with readiness checklists, glossaries, and regulatory updates.
The EPR Academy is offered entirely on-demand, so participants can move through the modules at their own pace and on their own schedule. Most complete the program in four to six hours, but the flexible format allows busy professionals to pause and return anytime, making it easy to fit compliance training into even the most demanding workload.
EPR laws are reshaping how companies think about packaging and sustainability. This program brings together the best knowledge in the field to give compliance managers and executives the confidence to act.
-Resa Dimino, Managing Partner of Signalfire Group and an instructor in the Academy
Signalfire Group: Policy Expertise Behind the Program
A core strength of the Academy is the expertise of its instructors and advisors. Among them are our leaders from Signalfire Group who specialize in Extended Producer Responsibility policy and implementation, helping businesses and governments interpret rapidly evolving requirements, anticipate regulatory shifts, and develop strategies for compliance and advocacy.
The team’s deep experience spans decades of work in North American recycling and environmental policy, backed by a practical understanding of the waste and recycling industry.
A Coalition of Experts and Partners
The Academy’s faculty and advisors represent a cross-sector coalition of leaders in EPR, sustainability, and materials management. In addition to Signalfire Group, contributors include:
Elizabeth Biser, Advisor – Former NC DEQ Secretary and past President of the Environmental Council of the States.
Kate Bailey, Instructor – Nationally recognized zero-waste and circular economy expert.
Eileen Cowdery, Instructor – Principal at BCG, advises corporations on circularity and compliance.
Stephanie Harper, John Hite, Rebecca Schwartz Altholz, Chloe Kapanen, Molly Blessing, and others.
This diversity of perspectives ensures the program reflects the full picture — from regulatory design and reporting obligations to corporate implementation and industry impacts.
The EPR Academy is designed to meet compliance managers where they are. With straightforward modules and real-world examples, it demystifies regulations and provides companies with practical pathways to compliance.
-Garth Hickle, Managing Partner of Signalfire Group and Academy Advisor
Ready to Get Started?
If your organization manufactures or distributes consumer-packaged goods into states with EPR laws, EPR Academy is for you.
Gain a clear understanding of packaging EPR laws and compliance requirements.
Access practical tools, checklists, and expert-led insights.
Showcase your knowledge with a Certificate of Completion.
Stay connected with peers and updates through the Academy’s resource library and LinkedIn community.
For compliance managers, sustainability leaders, and executives looking to future-proof their organizations, this course provides a direct, expert-led path forward.
