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DIY, consultant or done-for-you?
Three ways to handle packaging EPR compliance, and who does the work in each.
The short answer
In every option, your company stays responsible for its reports, and your authorized representative certifies and submits them. The difference is who does the data work: your team, your team with an advisor, or a service that gathers the specs and prepares the reports for your review.
| Question | Do it yourself | Consultant | Done-for-you (us) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who gathers supplier specs | Your team | Usually your team, with guidance | We do, and log every answer |
| Packaging record | You build and maintain it | Varies by engagement | We build it; you own it |
| CAA category mapping | Your team learns the categories | The consultant advises | We map and document it |
| Report preparation | Your team | Varies by engagement | We prepare every report and its methodology |
| Who certifies and submits | You | You | You |
| Pricing model | Your team’s time | Hourly or project quote | Published flat yearly fee from $3,900 |
| Best fit | One state, few SKUs, time to learn | Complex legal or packaging-design questions | Several states and suppliers, no one on staff for EPR compliance |
Questions to ask any option
- Who chases suppliers for specs, and how are estimates documented?
- Who keeps the packaging record and the evidence behind each value?
- What is the fixed cost for the year, and what is extra?
- When is the finished report ready before the May 31 deadline?
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we do packaging EPR reporting ourselves?
Yes. Many producers report directly in CAA's Producer Portal. The work is gathering material and weight data for every component from suppliers, mapping it to CAA's categories and keeping the evidence.
When does a consultant make sense?
When you need advice on complex questions, such as packaging redesign or legal interpretation. For legal questions, use your own counsel; we are not a law firm and don't give legal advice.
What does done-for-you mean here?
We do the data work and prepare each registration and report. You decide your producer status and log in, certify and submit.
Free EPR Check
Find out where you stand in 2 business days.
A written EPR Check: which states’ rules may apply, exemptions worth reviewing, and a 2027 fee estimate in dollars. Free, and general information for your decision, not legal advice.
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