SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This Earth Day, California is proving that cutting waste and protecting communities can go hand in hand. New statewide data shows California’s shift toward a circular economy, one that uses less and reuses more, is delivering real results for people, businesses, and the environment.
By the Numbers
Organics Recycling and Food Recovery
- 1.08 billion meals rescued and delivered to Californians facing hunger under the state’s organics recycling and surplus food rescue law.
- 97% of required communities and 75% of required businesses now have the capacity to recycle organic waste, turning food into energy and compost instead of methane.
- 3 million cars’ worth of air pollution will be cut each year by achieving California’s food recycling and rescue goals.
Beverage Container Recycling
- 513 billion beverage containers collected for recycling under the state’s deposit-return system, including a record 20 billion in 2024.
- Over 1,300 CRV redemption sites available, with more sites opening soon.
- $80 million in funding now available for new recycling sites.
- 70% recycling rate for California Redemption Value (CRV) containers.
Electronic Waste
- 2.7 billion pounds of E-waste collected and safely managed under California’s Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program.
- Largest E-waste recycling program expansion launched in 2026, adding battery-embedded products to increase recycling and prevent battery fires.
Producer Responsibility Success
California’s nation-leading extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are shifting the burden of collection and proper management from consumers to industry. To date, these programs have collected and responsibly managed:
- 12.7 million mattresses
- 39 million gallons of paint
- 1.3 billion pounds of carpet
- 2.4 million pounds of pharmaceutical waste
- 1.3 million pounds of home-generated sharps waste
What’s Next: New Producer Responsibility Programs Coming
California will soon see new producer funded and managed programs, including:
- Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707, 2024) creates an industry-funded and managed system to collect, repair, reuse, and recycle textiles and apparel.
- Loose battery EPR (AB 2440, 2022) makes producers responsible for collection and recycling of covered batteries, with drop-off sites in every county, including at major retailers.
- Packaging Producer Responsibility (SB 54, 2022) requires producers to design more sustainable packaging and finance statewide systems to collect, recycle, and reduce single-use plastic waste.
By 2032:
- 100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware sold in the state will be recyclable or compostable
- 65% of single-use plastic packaging and food service ware will be recycled
- 25% less plastic will be sold statewide
Building California’s Circular Economy and Waste-Free Future
California’s Zero Waste Plan is more than an environmental strategy. It’s an economic one. A fully circular economy in the state by 2050 is projected to generate:
- $411 billion in economic growth
- $11 billion in avoided health and environmental costs
- Over 500,000 new jobs across recycling, reuse, and manufacturing sectors
California continues to lead the nation in cutting waste, reducing pollution, recovering valuable resources, and building a cleaner, healthier future that works for communities, the environment, and future generations.
Find Earth Day events near you on CalRecycle’s website
Media Contact: Lance Klug, OPA@calrecycle.ca.gov