The California Integrated Waste Management Board monitors the provisions of the Public Resources Code with respect to plastic trash bag mandates. Manufacturers and wholesalers selling trash bags in California must meet mandates for recycled-content and be certified annually by the Board before State of California agencies and departments can purchase from them.
Plastic trash bag manufacturers that did not meet the minimum recycled plastic postconsumer material (RPPCM) content requirement and companies that did not submit certifications to the Board are noncompliant.
In addition to certifying manufacturers and wholesalers, the Board is given enforcement authority pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section 42296:
(a) If any supplier provides a manufacturer with false or misleading information, the board, within 30 days of determining that fact, shall refer the false or misleading information to the Attorney General for prosecution for fraud.
(b) If any manufacturer or wholesaler provides the board with a false or misleading certification or other information, the board, within 30 days or determining that fact, shall refer the false or misleading certification of information to the Attorney General for prosecution for fraud.
The enforcement orders page includes information on trash bag manufacturers and wholesalers that have had enforcement actions taken against them.
For more information contact: Buy Recycled, buyrecycled@calrecycle.ca.gov