California seeks partner to lead plastic and packaging waste reduction programme

California is on a mission to revamp its recycling system for single-use packaging and plastic foodware, aiming to significantly reduce plastic waste. CalRecycle is accepting partnership applications until January 1, 2024.

Driven by the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility law (SB 54, Allen), the state is determined to:

• Cut single-use plastic by 25% (packaging and foodware)
• Recycle 65% of single-use plastic (packaging and foodware)
• Ensure 100% recyclability or compostability of all packaging and single-use plastic foodware

This law shifts the onus of plastic pollution onto producers, who must form or join a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to meet these goals, with oversight from CalRecycle.

Producers must either join a PRO by January 1, 2027, or meet the law's requirements and cover their costs directly. Under SB 54, producers will collectively contribute $5 billion over a decade, prioritising disadvantaged areas.