The California legislature is currently considering two bills AB 1080 (Gonzalez) and SB 54 (Allen), which would attempt to reduce waste going into California’s landfills by establishing a robust recycling infrastructure. Specifically, the bills (which are identical) would require manufacturers to make all single-use packaging and the 10 most-littered single-use plastics and other materials out of recyclable or compostable materials by the year 2030.
These bills also set targets for increasing recycling of plastic packaging and certain single-use plastic products over the next decade, by requiring that at least 20 percent of manufactured products are recycled by 2024, 40 percent by 2028 and 75 percent by 2030. If these recycling rate targets are not met, then manufacturers could be fined up to $50,000 (USD) per day for not being in compliance with the law. The bill also mandates companies to source reduce their packaging and will require CalRecycle to establish a minimum post-consumer resin content for packaging.
The bills will need to pass the legislature by the September 13 adjournment date. The Pacific Water Quality Association and the Water Quality Association have been actively engaged in stakeholder meetings through their Sacramento legislative/legal Counsel, Randy Pollack. More information pertaining to these bills forthcoming as soon as it is available.