Senate Bill 54 On Target And Paving Road To "Waste-Free Future"

California's Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) is barreling forward and on track to incrementally reduce plastic packaging and foodservice products in the state by 2032. Signed into law in June of 2022, this aggressive legislation has ushered in a recycling sea change for California, mandating:

1. A 10% reduction of plastic material by 2027, 20% by 2030, and 25% by 2032;

2. That the state achieve a 65% recycling rate for all plastics by 2032; and

3. That all single-use packaging and food ware be recyclable or compostable by 2032.

The Act is an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill, which means it shifts the primary burden onto producers and away from the government and consumers. "Producers" are defined broadly as brand owners and those participating in the manufacture of a product that uses or contains covered material. To sell covered material in the state, producers will be required to join what