The evolving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) landscape and its impact on industry with Meaghan Hembree Attorney at Holland and Knight
In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Meaghan Colligan Hembree, Environmental, Compliance & Disputes Partner at Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. She counsels Fortune 500 companies and global brands on chemical risk, environmental compliance, and high-stakes disputes.Hembree explains extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, how they affect packaging, plastics, recycling, and supply chains, and what companies must do to prepare for compliance across states and globally. The discussion also covers the China waste import ban, circular economy challenges, and the future of recycling infrastructure.00:00 Why Recycling Needs a National Approach01:13 Meet Megan Colligan Hembry: EPR Legal Expert02:25 EPR Explained: Extended Producer Responsibility04:54 The 2018 Turning Point & Policy Responses07:19 Industry's Struggle: Adapting to China’s Ban11:39 How Companies Organize for EPR Compliance13:38 Packaging, Supply Chains, and Regulatory Complexity16:14 Operational Challenges Inside EPR Programs18:46 EPR’s Impact on Product and Package Design21:24 Data Collection & Reporting Complexities24:50 Making Packaging Truly Recyclable28:12 Beyond Packaging: Tires, Batteries & Other EPR Products32:48 Does EPR Drive Innovation and Sustainability?35:47 Federal vs State EPR: Who Should Take the Lead?40:19 RCRA, Universal Waste, and Circular Economy Paths45:47 Will EPR Raise Prices? Costs, Consumers & Fairness50:03 Will EPR Actually Improve Recycling for Consumers?52:00 Why Systematic Recycling Education Matters54:34 Making Recycling Trendy & Accessible55:40 Closing Thoughts & Outlook on EPR and Sustainability
Meaghan Hembree
Attorney / Partner
Meaghan is a partner at Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C., where she counsels Fortune 500 companies and global brands on chemical risk, environmental compliance, and high-stakes disputes and transactions. Her focus is strategic: helping clients manage complex liability across the full lifecycle of chemicals—from product development to disposal—and turn regulatory complexity into competitive advantage.
Her experience includes a billion-dollar cleanup, PFAS litigation across multiple states, and defending against RCRA enforcement actions involving hundreds of millions in exposure. She has managed compliance programs across 150+ facilities, led internal investigations into spills and operational gaps, and advised on transactions with legacy contamination, emerging substance risk, greenwashing risk, and sustainability and ESG compliance requirements.
She regularly lead cross-functional response strategies involving RCRA, CERCLA, the CAA, and the CWA, while also helping companies get ahead of risk through practical, forward-looking engagement with federal and state regulators. Clients turn to her for counsel that connects legal strategy with operational realities, investor pressure, and reputational risk.
As a lead drafter of federal and state legislation for industry on extended producer responsibility (EPR), circular economy, and plastics legislation, she brings a deep policy lens and forward thinking strategy to compliance and business strategy. Her clients span manufacturing, transportation, energy, real estate, and consumer goods—industrie… Read More
