EPR Regulatory Analysis Intern

Circular Action Alliance

2d•Remote

About The Position

CAA is seeking a talented and motivated law student or public administration/public policy graduate student to support targeted regulatory research focused on organic waste processing-requirements and mandates that intersect with emerging EPR programs in Maryland, Minnesota, Maine and Washington. As states and local jurisdictions expand organics diversion requirements through mandatory organics collection, disposal bans, education mandates, and related laws, CAA must understand how these requirements may affect EPR program planning, contracting structures, and operational realities for facilities and service providers. This internship will focus on providing research to help CAA understand how state and local organics regulations, ordinances and related policies may impact EPR program design, obligated services, facility operations, and implementation feasibility. This is not a passive research role. The intern will work closely with CAA's program and policy teams, engage with state-specific context, and develop actionable recommendations that will directly inform program planning decisions.

Requirements

Familiarity with EPR, organics policy, recycling systems, or solid waste management
Experience reviewing statutes, regulations, and local ordinances
Experience with applied policy research or regulatory analysis in a professional setting
Familiarity with one or more of the focus states: Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, or Washington
Experience conducting policy research in an applied or professional setting
Current enrollment in a JD/LLM, MPA/MPP, public policy, public administration, environmental policy, or related graduate program
Strong legal or policy research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex regulatory frameworks into clear, usable analysis
Demonstrated interest in environmental regulation, waste management, recycling/organics systems, or public-sector service delivery
Ability to work independently, manage a defined research scope, and deliver high-quality written outputs.

Responsibilities

The intern will research, synthesize and document organics-related regulatory requirements across selected EPR states and priority local jurisdictions.
Identifyand summarize state and local organics laws, ordinances, solid waste management plans, and other relevant policies, including mandatory organics diversion, collection requirements,single usepackagingor foodservice warebans, and service obligations.
Analyze how organics mandates intersect with EPR program scopes of work, including: Obligated services to manage certified compostable products Program timelines and sequencing Defined roles of producers, serviceprovidersandjurisdictions
Identifywhere packaging-related organics requirements may constrain, enable, or complicate EPR program implementation.
Assess how organics requirements affect: Existing and planned organics processing facilities Collection systems including curbside and drop off sites and service models MRF operations and operational interfaces (e.g.contamination, pre-processing, system changes, permit requirements)
Identifyoperational barriers, capacity constraints, andimplementationrisks relevant to program planning.
Review howorganicsmandates influence current contracting structures.
Identifywhere changes to MRF ororganicsoperations may create contracting or market challenges.
Map requirements related to education and outreach, including who is responsible, what is mandated, and how messaging is regulated.
Identifyrelated or “accessory” laws that may affect organics systems, such as: Post-consumer recycled (PCR) requirements or exclusions Procurement mandates Labeling or consumer facing requirements
Assess how these requirements collectively shape system expectations.
Develop a comparative matrix highlighting similarities, differences, and unique features across states and key localjurisdictions.
Identifywhere organics requirements create alignment opportunities, structural barriers, areas requiring explicit program design choices or policy decisions by CAA.