Producer Fees/Dues
Program operations in each state are funded by producer fees/dues managed by Interchange 360 as a nonprofit organization. The fees/dues for each state are based on the estimated cost to operate the program there and the amount of material being sold into the state. Each individual producer’s fees/dues are based on the volume of covered materials it sells into each state.
Fees/Dues Types
| Planning Fee | Implementation Fee | |
| All Products, Formats & Sizes | $0.14/gallon | $0.56/gallon |
Planning Fees are intended to fund the activities needed for program start-up, including development of the EPR Plan, engagement with state EPR leads, engagement with stakeholders, preparation of operational plan, IT, communications, legal and administration. Planning Fees will conclude when Implementation Fees go into effect. Future credits to producers from payment of planning fees/dues will be considered by the Board based on the program’s financial health.
Implementation Fees are intended to fund the operation of the program including payments to service providers, infrastructure development, public communications, state oversight costs, legal, IT and administration.
Interchange 360 will continually recalibrate fees/dues as more data is gathered that better reflects the program costs and/or volume of material sold into the state.
Calculating Your Fees/Dues
The chart below provides the current base fees/dues for each state. To ensure fairness, producers are responsible for paying back to the date planning fees/dues were first implemented for each program. Note that fees/dues may have been adjusted over time (i.e. from July 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, producers would pay a planning fee rate of $0.056/gallon).
Fees/Dues vary from the base due to container size, packaging material, and/or eco-modulation factors (learn more). Visit each State page for more detailed information on the fees/dues for each program.
| State | Planning Fee Start Date | Implementation Fee Start Date | Current Fees/Dues Phase | Current Base Rate/Gallon | Eco-Modulation Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | July 1, 2024 | April 1, 2025 | Implementation | $0.56 | 2027 |
| California | January 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 | Planning | $0.14 | |
| Maine | July 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 | Planning | $0.14 | |
| Maryland | TBD | TBD | TBD | ||
| Minnesota | July 1, 2025 | TBD | Planning | $0.14 | |
| Oregon | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2027 | Planning | $0.14 | |
| Vermont | January 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026 | Planning | $0.14 | |
| Washington | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Interchange 360 will provide notification within a reasonable time frame (e.g. 90-days) to affected participating producers of any fee changes. Exceptions may be necessary to implement changes in a shorter time frame if required by law, rule, regulation, or the relevant government authority.
Helpful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about Fees/Dues
What is the difference between fees and dues?
There is currently no difference in how Interchange 360 applies the words “fees” and “dues,” however some states use a specific term. Colorado uses “dues” while all others use “fees” to reference what producers must pay into a program.
Why can fees/dues vary across states?
Each state program has different requirements that factor into costs, including administration fees/dues, education and outreach mandates, and payments to local jurisdictions. Other considerations include unique costs to transportation—both distances required and geography and the amount of infrastructure needed.
What operations do fees/dues cover?
Producer fees/dues cover all aspects of operations, primarily the cost to collect, transport, and process materials. They also help with education and outreach activities, state-mandated fees, legal and administrative activities, and IT.
Are rates different for the Leaders Program?
No. The rates are the same as the base rates for the states/jurisdiction that the Leaders Program is operating in.
What data is needed to calculate fees/dues?
For details on how fees/dues are calculated, visit our Fee Setting page.
How do I calculate my fees/dues?
When entering your data in The Vault for each reporting period, the fees/dues are automatically calculated based on the rate. If you are interested in estimated the fees/dues in advance, visit each state page for additional details on the fees/dues. Remember that when joining a program, producers are responsible for paying back to the start date of planning fees to ensure fairness.
How often are fees/dues collected?
We offer monthly, quarterly, or annual payment schedules depending on what is easier for the producer. Annual payments require pre-paying for the year based on the previous year’s data. At the end of the year, the account will be reconciled with the most recent data.
How are producers invoiced?
Once a producer enters their data into The Vault, an invoice is automatically generated. Producers have 60 days from the end of the reporting period to remit fees.
What is the timeline for when planning fees will be credited back to producers?
Any credits and timing are as determined by the Board and will also depends on the individual state program. Each program must mature and stabilize. In the meantime, producers will receive an account statement of their credits.
What is eco-modulation?
Eco-modulation is a concept within EPR that provides incentives through a reduction in fees for producers to improve the recyclability, reuse, and/or compostability of packaging. There are also maluses—or disincentives—applied to packaging that is hard to recycle or compost. Eco-modulation was a key driver behind the formation of Interchange 360, to ensure producers of petroleum and automotive products would not have to face excessive fees for not having their materials recycled through a curbside program.