SB 54 and AB 1080 (Allen and Gonzalez) The California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act
Overview: SB 54 and AB 1080 will ensure California is on the forefront of reducing pollution from plastic packaging and single-use products. The bills would set goals to reduce waste from these items at the source, as well as through recycling and composting, and would establish a framework to address plastic pollution and waste.
The Problem:
With a planned 40-percent increase in plastic production over the next decade, plastic production will account for 20 percent of global fossil fuel consumption unless we make major policy changes to counter.
Less than 9 percent of plastic is recycled, and that percentage is dropping since the implementation of China’s National Sword and policies in other countries, which severely restricted the amount of foreign waste these countries accept.
While the state and local communities in California have tried to reduce the burden from single-use packaging since the 1980s, taxpayers and local governments still spend over $420 million annually in ongoing efforts to clean up and prevent litter in streets, storm drains, parks and waterways.
Packaging products are typically designed to be used just once and then discarded and they account for 42 percent of all non-fiber plastic produced.
Bill Summary: Eliminating non-reusable, non-recyclable and non-compostable plastic single-use products and packaging is by far the most effective, and least expensive way to protect the health of people, wildlife, and the environment. Many reliable and reusable alternatives already exist, and the positive results of their use have been proven. SB 54 and AB 1080 would:
Require producers to design plastic packaging to reduce unnecessary waste and be fully recyclable or compostable by 2032.
Require that priority single-use plastic food service ware products, including plates, bowls, cups, utensils, stirrers, and straws be source reduced, and manufactured with only recyclable or compostable material by 2032.
Require CalRecycle to develop regulations to guide producers in complying with these requirements, and to establish incentives and policies to encourage in-state manufacturing using recycled material generated in California.
Position & Status: CAW supports the bills.
CAW Staff Contact: Mark Murray, Nick Lapis (916) 443-5422