SB 54: Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
In California, most products come in packaging. Packaging waste makes up 25% of what we dump in landfills.
We must reduce packaging and make sure it gets recycled to meet California’s recycling and climate goals and build a circular economy.
Overview
On June 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 54 (Allen, Chapter 75, Statutes of 2022), a landmark new packaging law that requires that by 2032:
- 100% of packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable
- 25% cut in plastic packaging
- 65% of all single-use plastic packaging be recycled
SB 54 Events
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Past Events
January 31, 2023
On January 31, 2023, CalRecycle hosted an informational session for SB 54. This session provided an overview of the statute, an overview of the rulemaking process, and an overview of CalRecycle’s Material Characterization Studies.
February 28, 2023
On February 28, 2023, CalRecycle hosted an informational session for SB 54. This session provided an overview of the Advisory Board process pursuant to PRC 42070(b) and the Needs Assessment pursuant to PRC 42067.
Upcoming Events
March 29, 2023
On March 29, 2023, CalRecycle will host an informational session for SB 54. This workshop will focus on the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) and will provide an overview of some of the PRO requirements, including certain aspects of the PRO plan set forth by SB 54 [Public Resources Code (PRC), Section 42051.1]. It is scheduled from 10:00am – 3:00pm at Coastal Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95914.
- Public Notice
- Agenda (TBD)
- Presentation Slides (TBD)
SB 54 Statutory Goals
Manufacturers will create a product responsibility organization to increase packaging recycling.
California’s new packaging law is the most significant overhaul of the state’s plastics and packaging recycling policy.
The legislation also 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 communities hurt most by the impacts of plastic waste.
Producers Play a Strategic Role in Building a Truly Circular Recycling Economy
SB 54 Legislative Timeline
Producers Will Ensure Packaging Sold in California Is Recyclable
SB 54 establishes a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to manage packaging products across every sector of the economy.
EPR gives the primary responsibility for managing products after their useful life on producers or brand owners can design and market products to be more easily reused or recycled.
EPR can encourage product design changes:
- To be easily reused or recycled
- To minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment at every stage of the product’s lifecycle.
Advisory Board
Public Resources Code Section 42070 requires CalRecycle’s Director to appoint a producer responsibility advisory board by July 1, 2023 for the purpose of identifying barriers and solutions to creating a circular economy and advising the department, producers, and producer responsibility organizations in the implementation of this new law. For more information on this process, please visit the Advisory Board webpage.
