Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Valvoline, and other petroleum brands have established an organization to help their products abide by packaging laws in certain states, according to Resource Recycling.
The Lubricant Packaging Management Association (LPMA) was recently founded by Castrol’s parent company, BP Lubricants USA; Chevron U.S.A.; Shell’s parent company, Pennzoil-Quaker State; and Valvoline’s parent company, VGP Holdings.
LPMA’s goal is to help producers of lubricant products remain compliant with extended producer responsibility laws, which essentially holds producers responsible for a product’s entire lifespan, and any waste or pollution it may create.
Currently, extended producer responsibility laws related to packaging exist in Maine, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Minnesota. Vermont also recently passed a packaging law that would impact lubricant producers as well.
Some states have made it so that only one organization can oversee extended producer responsibility. In Oregon, California, and Colorado, this role has already been given to the Circular Action Alliance (CAA).
LPMA has plans to attempt to collaborate with CAA, arguing that packaging for petroleum products require unique consideration from something like food-grade packaging.
“Based in the U.S., this national, member-based, non-profit organization was developed with a purpose of providing EPR compliance options for its members and supporting the development of circular material management solutions for their petroleum-based and related products and packaging,” stated a press release.
