Page 56 - Plastics News May 2026
P. 56
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
until June 1 to take one of three steps: register
with CAA and submit supply data if participating
through the PRO; register with CalRecycle and
apply as an independent producer if complying
individually; or register with CalRecycle and ap-
ply for a small producer exemption if eligible.
“We’re taking action to stop producers from us-
ing excessive amounts of plastic packaging that
pollutes our communities” CalRecycle Director
Zoe Heller said, in a statement. “With strong
state oversight, producers will be accountable
for designing less wasteful packaging and fund-
ing systems to make sure their materials are
collected, reused, and composted or recycled
producers. New packaging reforms lower waste when consumers are done with them.”
costs for communities and decrease garbage
and pollution across the state,” said Yana Garcia, The National Stewardship Action Council, which
state secretary for environmental protection, in was active throughout the rulemaking process,
a statement. “This approach pushes producers welcomed the approval. The group said Cal-
to innovate and design packaging that truly sup- Recycle had responded to concerns it raised in
ports a circular economy.” public comment about categorical exclusion lan-
The regulations, which became active upon fil- guage.
ing, include 2032 goals for producers, includ- “Getting implementation right is just as important
ing reducing single-use plastic by 25%, ensuring as passing the policy itself,” said Heidi Sanborn,
100% of packaging is recyclable and composta- NSAC executive director and CEO, in a state-
ble and a 65% recycling rate for single-use plas- ment. “This is where the environmental, public
tic packaging and food service ware. health and economic benefits are either realized
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) food ware service or lost and where cost-effective systems must
manufacturers have been prohibited from selling be designed to work in practice.”
in California since January 1, 2025, after the sec- NSAC convenes national working groups
tor failed to demonstrate a 25% recycling rate. through its partnership with the Stewardship
The prohibition covers selling, distributing and Action Foundation, bringing together produc-
importing EPS food service ware into the state. ers, recyclers, local and state governments and
CalRecycle had pulled earlier draft regulations in other stakeholders to support implementation.
January 2026 to review and provide clarity be- The organization is inviting interest holders
fore releasing an updated version. Circular Ac- across the value chain to engage in its National
tion Alliance (CAA), the producer responsibility Packaging/EPR Implementation Working Group,
organization assigned to implement SB 54, is designed to bridge the gap between policy
slated to submit its plan in June, with full imple- adoption and on-the-ground results.
mentation scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2027.
“We look forward to working with CalRecycle,
Alongside the regulation approval, CalRecycle Circular Action Alliance, and other key interest
published an updated producer guidance web- holders across the value chain to support suc-
page on May 1 with resources for producers, cessful implementation,” Sanborn added.
with additional guidance materials expected to
follow. Source - https://resource-recycling.com
With regulations now in effect, producers have
58 PLASTICS NEWS May 2026
