California SB 343
California SB 343 is the 2021 California law that bans the chasing arrows symbol or any other recyclability claim on products and packaging that are not collected and sorted for recycling across most of the state.
What it requires
A product or package may carry a recyclable claim only if its material and form are collected by recycling programs serving at least 60% of Californians and sorted by facilities serving at least 60% of programs, based on CalRecycle's material characterization study published in April 2025. Products and packaging manufactured from 4 October 2026 must comply. Noncompliant claims are treated as deceptive, exposing companies to enforcement and lawsuits under California consumer protection law.
Why it matters
SB 343 makes recycling symbols on shipping packaging a legal risk for anyone selling into California as of October 2026. Many plastic mailers, padded envelopes and flexible films carry chasing arrows but do not meet the 60% collection and sorting tests. For example, a 3PL that stocks a generic poly mailer printed with a recycling symbol for all clients should confirm the claim meets SB 343 or switch to unprinted mailers, because the brand shipping into California carries the labeling risk.
Related laws
Sources
- CalRecycle: SB 343 Accurate recycling labels calrecycle.ca.gov
- California Legislative Information: SB 343 (2021) leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Not legal advice.