Plain English Breakdown
The official digest contains a formatting error listing two different penalty amounts ($1,000 and $5,000) for registration violations; the exact amount is unclear from this text alone.
New Rules for Recycling Plastic Packaging and Products
This law replaces the old program for rigid plastic containers with a new system requiring manufacturers to register, pay fees, report on their plastics use, meet minimum recycled content goals, and provide third-party certification.
What This Bill Does
- Replaces the current recycling program for rigid plastic packaging containers with a broader program covering more plastic packaging and products.
- Requires manufacturers of covered products to register annually starting July 1, 2026, by paying an annual registration charge and providing brand names.
- Mandates that manufacturers meet certain yearly minimum percentages of postconsumer recycled content in their covered products.
- Allows the department to grant waivers for up to two years if a manufacturer applies and pays an application fee not exceeding $1,000.
- Requires annual reports starting April 1, 2028, detailing specified information about amounts and types of plastics used in covered products.
- Requires manufacturers to include proof of third-party certification for recycled content as part of their registration on or after January 1, 2029.
Who It Names or Affects
- Manufacturers who sell or offer plastic packaging and products (covered products) in California.
- The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, which administers the program.
- Local governmental agencies that may receive funding to develop recycling collection and processing systems.
Terms To Know
- Postconsumer recycled content
- Material made from plastic products after consumers have used them, which is then processed into new items.
- Covered product
- Plastic packaging and products that fall under the rules of this new recycling program as defined by the department.
- Third-party certification
- Proof from an outside organization verifying a manufacturer's recycled content claims, required starting in 2029.
Limits and Unknowns
- The specific minimum percentages of recycled content and the exact list of covered products will be set by future regulations.
- Certain types of plastic packaging may be exempt from these requirements as specified later by the department.
- Funding for local agencies depends on money collected in fines being appropriated by the Legislature.