California Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
Governmental Agency: Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
Jurisdiction: California, USA
Ref no: SB 54
Status: Adopted, June 2022
The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act aims to reduce production of single-use plastic packaging and shift recycling costs to producers. The act (SB 54) sets out extended producer responsibility (EPR) measures requiring packaging producers to form or join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) by January 1, 2024. The PRO is to develop a publicly accessible producer responsibility plan; producers will be responsible for following the plan and paying an annual PRO fee.
As of January 1, 2027, producers will not be allowed to sell, offer for sale, import, or distribute packaged materials in California unless the producer is identified in a Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved PRO plan for source reduction, collection, processing, and recycling of plastic packaging materials. The act would also require the development of minimum recycled content standards for certain types of plastic packaging.
It requires that by 2032; there is a 25% cut in plastic packaging usage, 65% of plastic packaging is recycled and 100% of packaging in California is recyclable. Intermediate targets for 2028 & 2030 have also been set.
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The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act impacts manufacturers and brand owners that produce, sell, or distribute certain types of packaging in California, regardless of their location.
This legislation covers various types of packaging, including containers, pallets, wrapping, and strapping, which are used to contain, protect, handle, deliver, or present goods.
Producers must ensure that; products are manufactured, marketed, and delivered using recycled plastic products are designed to be recycled, products are collected, processed, and recycled into new products.
A business may be exempt from following a PRO plan if they meet several criteria determined by CalRecycle.
