Manufacturer of Postconsumer Recycled Plastic Reporting Requirements
Assembly Bill 793 establishes recycled content standards for plastic beverage containers subject to the California Refund Value (CRV).
The law requires a postconsumer plastic recycled (PCR) content standard of:
- 15% beginning January 1, 2022
- 25% on January 1, 2025
- 50% on January 1, 2030
The law will help improve the market for recycled plastic by increasing the demand and, therefore, increasing the scrap value of the material for recycling centers operating in the Beverage Container Recycling Program.
On or before March 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, a manufacturer of postconsumer recycled plastic must report to CalRecycle:
- The amount in pounds sold in the previous calendar year:
- Food-grade flake
- Pellet
- Sheet
- Fines or
- Other forms
- And their capacity to produce food-grade material.
- This report must include the amount of material that meets bottle-grade specifications.
Public Resources Code 14549.3
Report
A standardized report form will be sent out with an official notice prior to the upcoming reporting period.
- The report is due March 1st each year for the previous calendar year.
- CalRecycle provides a standardized form as the Department believes that it complies with the requirements of PRC §14549.3.
To receive updates, including notices regarding workshops and rulemaking, subscribe to the Beverage Container Recycling Program General Listserv.
Current Status
Permanent regulations to implement AB 793 have been adopted and become effective on January 1, 2024.
- These regulations adopt definitions for:
- Postconsumer recycled material
- Post-industrial recycled material
- Plastic material reclaimer
- Manufacturer of postconsumer recycled plastic
These regulations clarify definitions for:
- Food-grade and bottle-grade terms
- Recordkeeping and compliance requirements for beverage manufacturers
- Reporting requirements for:
- Beverage manufacturers
- Plastic material reclaimers and
- Manufacturers of postconsumer recycled plastic
- Petition requirements for an association to petition CalRecycle’s director to adjust the minimum postconsumer recycled content standard
- Requirements for beverage manufacturers to submit corrective action plans and requests for reducing administrative penalties.
These regulations amended section 2100 to make clear that failure to file a required report correctly and accurately by a beverage manufacturer, a plastic material reclaimer, or a manufacturer of postconsumer recycled plastic may be subject to discipline through the Notice of Violation process.
To receive updates, including notices regarding workshops and rulemaking, subscribe to the Beverage Container Recycling Program General Listserv.
A beverage is defined in PRC §14504. If you are uncertain if your beverage is subject to CRV, contact our Registration Unit via phone at (916) 323-1835 or via email at reg.crvlabeling@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can post-industrial recycled material be used instead of PCR material?
The law requires a postconsumer recycled plastic minimum content standard (PRC 14547).
Does the average PCR requirement target apply to plastic beverage containers manufactured in California, filled in California, or to the ones sold at points of sale in California regardless of where they are made and filled?
The plastic minimum content requirements apply to all plastic beverage containers sold in California that are subject to the California Redemption Value (CRV).
More Information
Comments and questions about AB 793 may be submitted via email to MarketInformation@CalRecycle.ca.gov.
Comments may also be submitted to:
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Division of Recycling
Financial Analysis and Policy Development Branch
Statistical Information Section
P.O. Box 4025
Sacramento, CA 95812
For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home