California SB 54
California SB 54 is the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which makes producers of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware fund recycling and meet reduction targets.
What it requires
Producers must join the producer responsibility organization, Circular Action Alliance, or comply independently, and report covered material sold into California. By 2032, all covered packaging must be recyclable or compostable, 65% of single-use plastic packaging must be recycled, and single-use plastic packaging must be cut 25%. CalRecycle's permanent regulations took effect on 1 May 2026, with full program implementation scheduled for 2027. Producers with under 1 million dollars in California gross sales can claim an exemption. Penalties reach 50,000 dollars per day.
Why it matters
SB 54 makes packaging decisions a recurring cost for brands that sell into California, including through e-commerce. The producer is usually the brand owner, but shipping boxes and void fill added at the warehouse are also covered, so brands need packaging data from their 3PLs. For example, a direct-to-consumer brand shipping from a Nevada fulfillment center to California customers still has to report the weight of mailers and dunnage that reach California and pay fees, which will be higher for packaging that is hard to recycle.
Related laws
- California SB 3432021, compliance from October 2026 · California truth in recycling labels law
- Oregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act2021, fees from 2025 · Oregon packaging EPR law, first to collect fees
- Colorado Packaging EPR Law2022, dues from 2026 · Colorado producer-funded recycling program for packaging
Sources
- CalRecycle: SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility calrecycle.ca.gov
- California Legislative Information: SB 54 (2022) leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Not legal advice.