SB 54 Source Reduction Guidance
Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
This page explains the source reduction requirements in California’s packaging producer responsibility law.
California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) requires a 25% reduction in single-use plastic packaging and plastic food service ware by 2032. By reducing plastic waste before it reaches consumers, the law aims to protect public health, reduce pollution, and lessen environmental impacts.
The producer responsibility organization (PRO) is responsible for meeting the statewide reduction targets through their PRO plan which must be approved by CalRecycle. While individual producers are not required to meet these targets on their own, they contribute by fully participating in the PRO plan, reducing plastic use, and reporting information about the covered plastic materials they sell or distribute in California.
The following outlines the reduction requirements, key deadlines, ways producers can reduce plastic use, and where to find reporting guidance.
Updated Report Released
Reduction Requirements
CalRecycle measures progress using a 2023 baseline. Reductions will be compared by covered material sold or distributed in California as measured by weight and number.
The PRO must implement their plan to meet the statewide reduction targets by January 1, 2032. The PRO must also establish legally enforceable agreements with each approved plan participant, as required by Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42057.
Reduction Targets and Deadlines
Source-reduction requirements are a collective responsibility of the PRO. Individual producers are not required to meet the statewide targets on their own, but they contribute through implementation of the PRO plan and actions like transitioning to reusable or refillable alternatives.
- 10% by January 1, 2027 (at least 2% from reuse/refill)
- 20% by January 1, 2030 (at least 4% from reuse/refill)
- 25% by January 1, 2032 (at least 10% from reuse/refill/elimination)
Ways to Achieve Source Reduction
A Collective Responsibility Across all PRO Producers
*Click the images to learn more about each source reduction method
Reuse / Refill — Design products for reuse, systems that reduce
Elimination — Remove unnecessary plastic entirely
Material substitution — Switch to nonplastic materials
Right-size / lightweight / concentration / bulk — Reduce size, weight, or number of components
Up to 8% of the source reduction requirement can be met through use of postconsumer recycled content in plastic covered material. To use this option, the PRO must propose a compliance formula in the PRO plan and have it approved by CalRecycle.
Source Reduction Reporting and Guidance
Reporting
Producers’ reporting play an important role in tracking progress toward statewide reduction targets. Each producer must report how much plastic covered material they sell, offer for sale, or distribute in California. Reports include:
- The total weight of plastic covered material and
- The number of plastic components
Producers report for two purposes:
- Initial reporting to establish the 2023 baseline
- Annual reporting to show progress toward statewide reduction targets
Guidance
For more information, go to CalRecycle’s Source Reduction Reporting Guidance.
Producers may report through the PRO (Circular Action Alliance) or directly to CalRecycle using the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System (PEPRS).
See PRC section 42057(c)(1) and 14 CCR section 18980.9.
For guidance on additional producer responsibilities and compliance with SB 54, visit the Producer Guidance page.
Update to the Source Reduction Baseline Report
- Updated November 1, 2026 Source Reduction Baseline Report
- CalRecycle annually reports the source reduction baseline, based on 2023 data, in the Source Reduction Baseline Report. This reported baseline will be used to measure progress toward California’s source reduction goal.
- In 2024, CalRecycle first published the Source Reduction Baseline Report using modeling data.
- In November 2026, CalRecycle first updated the Source Reduction Baseline Report using producer-reported data instead of earlier modeled data. While this updated baseline reflects the best available information, CalRecycle acknowledges that not all producers reported and not all producers submitted accurate reporting.
- Producers and the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) will have opportunities to submit correct and complete data. CalRecycle will continue working with producers to improve the data, ensuring California has reliable information to measure progress and meet the law’s requirements.
- CalRecycle will next update the Source Reduction Baseline in November 2027. This update will include corrected and more complete data.
- CalRecycle will issue the November 2027 Source Reduction Baseline update before assessing and reviewing compliance with the source reduction targets in SB 54. This will occur as part of the review of the first annual report to be submitted to CalRecycle in July 2028.
Source Reduction Reporting Timeline
December 31, 2024
Publish the Source Reduction Baseline to establish a benchmark for measuring source reduction progress.
September 2, 2025
Publish Source Reduction Baseline Reporting Guidance.
August 4, 2026
Publish Updated Source Reduction Baseline Reporting Guidance.
November 2, 2026
Publish Update to the Source Reduction Baseline Report.
Corrections to the report will be published annually.
Contact
Submit non-media questions about the program to Packaging@calrecycle.ca.gov.
For media inquiries OPA@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Circular Action Alliance serves as California’s first producer responsibility organization (PRO) in charge of implementing the state’s packaging producer responsibility law.