Accurate Recycling Labels

Many Californians rely on products’ chasing arrows symbol to tell if it’s recyclable.
Until 2021, California did not set specific criteria for the using chasing arrows recycling logo.

Lawmakers enacted SB 343 (Allen, Chapter 507, Statues of 2021), which prohibits use of the chasing arrows or any other indicator of recyclability on products and packaging unless certain criteria are met.

Increasing recycling in California first requires accurate labels on recyclables.

Identifies What Gets Recycled

SB 343 directs CalRecycle to publish data about the types of materials actually recycled in California. Manufacturers and the public must use this data to make all determinations about whether a product meets the criteria to be called recyclable. The law also outlaws manufacturers and others from selling products or packaging labeled as recyclable unless the items are regularly collected and processed for recycling in the state.

This will:

Help vendors and consumers make informed decisions about products
Provide an objective basis for holding manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for misleading consumers about whether products get recycled

Program News

CalRecycle released in December 2023 the SB 343 Preliminary Findings Report for the required characterization study of material types and forms study of material types and forms that are collected, sorted, sold, or transferred by solid waste facilities.

Steps to Identify What’s Recyclable

Often referred to by industry stakeholders as the “Truth in Recycling” or “Truth in Labeling” law, SB 343 requires CalRecycle to complete two major steps by January 1, 2024.

CalRecycle-Led Material Characterization Study + Material Recovery Facility Reports = Materials Collected, and Sorted in CA for Recycling

Step 1. Study of What Gets Recycled (Material Characterization Studies)

CalRecycle commissioned a statewide analysis at material recovery facilities in 2023 to identify which materials are commonly collected, sorted, sold, or transferred for recycling in California.
CalRecycle published a draft of its preliminary findings on December 28, 2023. CalRecycle held an informational session on February 13, 2024, and is currently accepting public feedback.
CalRecycle will formally publish its preliminary findings after the current comment period. The preliminary findings will formally be presented at a public meeting, and there will be another period for submission of public comments.

The law also requires ongoing studies to make updates to the statewide analysis. The second study will be completed by 2027, with future studies every 5 years after that.

CalRecycle awarded the contract for the 2023 Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Recyclable Material Study, DRR22056 to Cascadia Consulting Group.

Step 2. New Reporting Requirements

CalRecycle will update regulations to require material management facilities and operations to report regularly through CalRecycle’s Recycling and Disposal Reporting System:

How materials are collected or processed in the state
Which material types and forms facilities recover and don’t consider contaminants

Program Implementation of SB 343

Provides Information to Clarify Mislabeling

Although existing laws make it illegal to use deceptive labels on products, little credible information was available to define accurate and deceptive recycling labels.

SB 343 directs CalRecycle to:

Research what is collected and processed for recycling in California and
Publish this information so manufacturers can accurately label products that get recycled.

Local Jurisdictions and the California Attorney General may also use this information when filing civil suits and charging monetary penalties against companies who are not labeling their products accurately. Deceptive labeling is also subject to civil suits pursuant to the Business and Professions Code

After CalRecycle publishes each new study, manufacturers will have 18 months to ensure the updated information supports the use of the chasing arrows recycling symbol on their products.

Public Feedback

CalRecycle has released the draft SB 343 Preliminary Findings Report for the required characterization study of material types and forms that are collected, sorted, sold, or transferred by solid waste facilities in California.

CalRecycle hosted an informational session on February 13, 2024.

CalRecycle will hold a formal public meeting this spring to present the draft findings of the preliminary report to the public and to solicit feedback on the draft preliminary study findings. This workshop will include:

A statutory overview
Study methodology and
Preliminary findings.

CalRecycle will publish the final findings report within 60 days of the public workshop.

Public comments can be submitted:

At the workshop
Via email to wastechar@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Comments related to the draft SB 343 Preliminary Findings Report are requested by April 2, 2024.

Contact Us

For updates about SB 343 Material Characterization Study progress, subscribe to the Material Characterization Study Listserv.
For any waste characterization studies questions, contact wastechar@calrecycle.ca.gov.
For more information on the rulemaking process regarding updates to the reporting requirements for materials management facilities and operations, visit the CalRecycle Recycling and Disposal Reporting System Regulations Webpage.

For more information contact, the Office of Public Affairs, opa@calrecycle.ca.gov