Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
SB 54
Packaging waste makes up 27% of what we dump in California landfills.
We must reduce packaging waste and ensure it gets recycled to meet our state’s recycling and climate goals.
On June 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 54 (Allen, Chapter 75, Statutes of 2022) into law to address the impacts of single-use plastic packaging and food service ware. This landmark packaging law requires that by 2032 we:
Cut By
%
Single-use plastic:
- Packaging and
- Food ware
Recycle
%
Of single-use plastic:
- Packaging and
- Food ware
Make
%
Of all packaging and single-use plastic food ware recyclable or compostable.
The law shifts the plastic pollution burden from consumers to the plastics industry by raising $5 billion from industry members over 10 years.
This will:
- Cut plastic pollution and
- Support disadvantaged, low-income, and rural communities hurt most by the impacts of plastic waste.
Californians Throw Away
290
Olympic pools worth of plastic a day
Advisory Board
CalRecycle’s director appointed an advisory board to identify barriers and solutions to creating a circular economy and advise the department, producers, and producer responsibility organizations in implementing this new law.
Producers Play a Strategic Role in Building a Truly Circular Economy
SB 54 establishes a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to manage packaging and single-use plastic food ware products across every sector of the economy.
Producers will ensure that the packaging and plastic food ware sold in California Is recyclable or compostable.
EPR gives primary responsibility for managing products after their useful life to producers, who can design and market products to be more easily reused or recycled.
EPR can encourage product design changes to:
- Ensure products are easily reused or recycled.
- Minimize negative impacts on public health and the environment at every stage of the product’s lifecycle.
Producer Responsibility Organizations
Create Program
Increase Recycling
Cut Trash Pollution in Disadvantaged Communities
Enroll Manufacturers
Pay All Implementation Costs
CalRecycle
Oversees Program
Appoints Advisory Board 
Researches Packaging Waste Types
Reviews Plan and Budget
Publishes Recyclable or Compostable Material Categories List
Calculates and Publishes Recycling Rates for Covered Materials
Needs Assessment
Public Resources Code Section 42067 requires CalRecycle to develop a statewide needs assessment collaboratively.
Information from this needs assessment will guide the Producer Responsibility Organization’s budget and plan detailing how California will meet the packaging and plastic pollution reduction goals of SB 54.
Upcoming Workshops
September 2023 SB 54 Public Workshop
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. September 27, 2023
Where: CalEPA Headquarters, Sierra Hearing Room, 1001 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814, via Zoom, or via Webcast.
The workshop will cover nonregulatory topics, including:
- Covered material category list (second draft)
- Needs assessment (contracted studies)
Organizations interested in bidding on upcoming contract solicitations are encouraged to attend the afternoon of the workshop.
Email packaging@calrecycle.ca.gov to:
- Receive updates on contract solicitations for the needs assessment
- Be added to a Potential Bidder List.
Include:
- [Potential Bidder List] in the subject line
- Your organization’s name
- Contact information
CalRecycle staff are drafting regulation text and incorporating feedback from past workshops.
We aim to release draft language for public review and comment in the fall, at which time we will host public workshops to receive additional input before moving into formal rulemaking early next year.
To stay updated with future announcements, please sign up for our listserv.
Past Events
January 31, 2023
This SB 54 informational session provided overviews of:
- The statute
- The rulemaking process
- CalRecycle’s Material Characterization Studies
Agenda
Public Notice
Presentation Slides
February 28, 2023
This SB 54 informational session provided overviews of:
- The Advisory Board process (PRC 42070(b))
- The Needs Assessment (PRC 42067)
Agenda
Public Notice
Presentation Slides
March 29, 2023
CalRecycle’s first informal workshop included:
- An informational session on the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)
- An overview of some of the PRO requirements, including certain aspects of the PRO plan [Public Resources Code (PRC), Section 42051.1]
- A chance for public feedback on rulemaking concepts, including:
- Producer responsibility plan
- Document submittals
- Annual reporting
Public Notice
Agenda
Presentation Slides
Discussion Document
April 25, 2023
This SB 54 informational workshop focused on covered materials and included:
- Relevant definitions and exemptions. A chance for public feedback on:
- Non-regulatory concepts related to reporting systems and
- Several rulemaking concepts on definitions and exemptions.
Public Notice
Agenda
Discussion Document
Presentation Slides
May 31, 2023
This SB 54 informal workshop focused on source reduction and responsible end markets, including:
- An informational session
- A chance for public feedback on:
- Non-regulatory concepts related to the source reduction baseline and
- Several rulemaking concepts on definitions and terms.
Public Notice
Agenda
Presentation Slides
Discussion Document (SR)
Discussion Document (REM)
June 28-29, 2023
This SB 54 informal workshops focused on:
- Recyclability and compostability determinations
- The covered material category list
- Requirements for local jurisdictions, and
- Individual compliance for producers, small retailers, and wholesalers.
- A chance for interested parties to provide feedback on several rulemaking concepts.
Public Notice June 28, 2023
Agenda
Discussion Document (CMC)
Discussion Document (RD)
Discussion Document (CD)
Covered Material Categories List
Presentation Slides
Public Notice June 29, 2023
Agenda
Discussion document (LJ)
Discussion Document (PRW)
Presentation Slides
July 24, 2023
Public Notice
Agenda
Discussion Document (RR)
Discussion Document (CM)
Discussion Document (R/R)
Discussion Document (PD)
Discussion Document (PRP)
Discussion Document (DR)
July 25, 2023
Public Notice
Agenda
Discussion Document (EF)
Discussion Document (AB)
Discussion Document (Enforcement)
Fact Sheets
To stay informed on the latest information on the Packaging EPR rulemaking process and issues, sign up for email updates by joining the SB 54: Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Packaging EPR) listserv.
SB 54 Legislative Timeline
2022
Gov. Newsom Signs SB 54 into Law
2023
CalRecycle Appointed members of the Advisory Committee
2024
Publish List of Recyclable Compostable Categories
2025
SB 54 Regulations Adopted
2025 – 2027
CalRecycle Report to Legislature
2026
Publish Recycling Rates by Jan. 1, 2026
2027
CalRecycle Report to Legislature
2028
30% of Plastic Packaging Recycled
2030
40% of Plastic Packaging Recycled
2032
65% of Plastic Packaging Recycled
25% Less Plastic Packaging Sold
100% of Packaging is Recyclable or Compostable
Contact
Submit non-media questions about the program to Packaging@CalRecycle.ca.gov.
For media inquiries OPA@CalRecycle.ca.gov.