California approves SB 54 law to curb plastic packaging waste
Key takeaways
- California’s SB 54 EPR law took effect on May 1, 2026, aiming to shift packaging waste responsibility to producers.
- The law’s targets include 25% reduction in packaging waste and 65% recycling of single-use plastics.
- The Circular Action Alliance was appointed to manage implementation, with CalRecycle overseeing compliance and progress.
The US state of California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved the SB 54 EPR law and filed it with the Secretary of State, bringing it into effect on May 1, 2026.
The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, known as the SB 54 law, establishes an EPR program aiming to manage “packaging and single-use plastic foodservice ware” across the state.
California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has published producer guidance on navigating the requirements under the state’s new EPR.
“We’re taking action to stop producers from using excessive amounts of plastic packaging that pollutes our communities,” says Zoe Heller, director at CalRecycle.
According to CalRecycle, packaging makes up over 50% of “landfill dumps” in the state.
The EPR sets out to reduce packaging waste by 25%, achieve a 65% recycling rate for single-use plastic packaging and foodservice ware, and ensure that 100% of single-use plastic packaging and foodservice waste is recyclable or compostable.
“With strong state oversight, producers will be accountable for designing less wasteful packaging and funding systems to make sure their materials are collected, reused, and composted or recycled when consumers are done with them,” Heller explains.
Delegating responsibility
CalRecycle has selected the Circular Action Alliance to serve as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
The PRO is tasked with creating programs, increasing recycling, cutting packaging and plastic waste pollution in disadvantaged communities, enrolling manufacturers, and paying all implementation costs.
Meanwhile, CalRecycle is responsible for overseeing the program, appointing the Advisory Board, researching packaging waste types, reviewing plans and budgets, publishing the covered material category (CMC) list, and calculating and releasing the recycling rates for such materials.
Yana Garcia, secretary for Environmental Protection, comments: “California is shifting the responsibility of managing single-use plastic and packaging onto the producers.”
“New packaging reforms lower waste costs for communities and decrease garbage and pollution across the state. This approach pushes producers to innovate and design packaging that truly supports a circular economy.”
Last year, the department released the SB 54 CMC List for 2026, featuring updated recyclability and compostability, as well as recycling rate determination, both defined by CMC.
Recently, The Recycling Partnership, a US-based NGO focused on recycling systems, told Packaging Insights that SB 54 has put pressure on packaging producers to design for recyclability and improve labeling, highlighting the impact on film and flexible packaging producers.
Heidi Sanborn, founder of the US National Stewardship Action Council and the California Product Stewardship Council, told us that representatives of the packaging industry undermined the bill’s intent.
