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AB-2253 • 2026

Solid waste: products: recycled content claims.

Solid waste: products: recycled content claims.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Boerner
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The source text contains fragmented sentences regarding supply stream limits and calculation methods, making precise wording difficult without guessing at missing words.

Rules for Recycled Content Claims on Products

This law expands record-keeping rules from plastic food containers to all products making recycled content claims and requires companies to prove their claims are based on actual physical materials.

What This Bill Does

  • Expands existing rules requiring written documentation for recycled content claims from only plastic food container products to all products.
  • Requires manufacturers or suppliers to keep records showing that recycled content was diverted from the solid waste stream either during manufacturing (preconsumer) or after consumer use (postconsumer).
  • Mandates that recycled content claims be based on actual physical recycled material used in production, calculated using specified methods without certain types of accounting.
  • Updates the reference for federal standards to specifically use the Federal Trade Commission Guides as they existed on January 1, 2026.
  • Defines the term 'postconsumer' and limits claimed amounts so they do not exceed third-party certified recycled content in the manufacturer's or supplier's overall supply stream.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Manufacturers who make environmental marketing claims about recycled content in their products.
  • Suppliers of products that include recycled material claims.
  • Cities, counties, and the state government which can impose civil penalties for violations.

Terms To Know

Postconsumer
Materials diverted from the solid waste stream after they have been used by consumers; this bill defines this term specifically for these provisions.
Preconsumer
Materials diverted from the solid waste stream during the manufacturing process before consumer use, as described in existing law requirements.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official effective date for this law is not listed in the provided source material.
  • The specific types of accounting methods that are prohibited are mentioned but not fully detailed in the text.
  • The exact calculation methods required to prove actual physical recycled content are referenced as 'specified' without full description here.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Solid waste: products: recycled content claims.