Fast Facts
Californians overwhelmingly support action to reduce plastic pollution:

• 93% of materials in circulation are virgin (nonrecycled) resources
• 91% of Californians are worried about plastic pollution
• 86% want policies to reduce it
• 81% support producer responsibility for products and packaging

California Drives Packaging Innovation
California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54, Chapter 70, Statutes of 2022) empowers businesses to design waste out of packaging with refillable, reusable, or recyclable materials. After over three years of collaboration with businesses, advocates and other interested parties, these rules help California cut plastic while growing the world’s fourth largest economy; delivering 2 ½ times more benefits than costs by reducing waste, cutting red tape, and streamlining recycling systems.
Producers, led by a nonprofit producer responsibility organization, Circular Action Alliance, have until 2032 to meet statewide targets for:

• 25% less plastic, with nearly half of that achieved by eliminating plastic and shifting to reuse or refill systems
• 100% recyclable or compostable packaging and plastic food service ware, with 65% of plastic packaging and food service ware actually recycled

Putting Consumers First
California’s packaging reforms simplify recycling, restore trust in recycling systems, expand and improve curbside collection, and reduce cost and pollution burdens on local governments and ratepayers.

Learn more about new producer requirements on CalRecycle’s website and track the state’s progress through instant email updates.

B-roll: Single-Use Plastic and Packaging B-Roll Footage

Media Contact: Lance Klug | OPA@calrecycle.ca.gov