California Invites Public Feedback on Major Plastic Packaging Rule

California’s recycling agency, CalRecycle, has officially launched a public comment period for permanent regulations under the state’s groundbreaking Senate Bill 54—also known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. By shifting responsibility from consumers to manufacturers, SB 54 seeks to drastically reduce single-use plastics and build a more sustainable, circular economy.

As part of SB 54, producers are required to help fund environmental cleanup and support communities most impacted by plastic waste. Over ten years, producers must contribute $5 billion ($500 million annually, beginning in 2027) to address the damage caused by single-use plastic pollution.

By 2032, all single-use packaging and plastic food-service ware must be recyclable or compostable, at least 65 percent of these items must be recycled, and their overall use must drop by 25 percent compared to 2023. CalRecycle’s EPR program under SB 54 is expected to encompass nearly 5,800 producers, far more than any other state’s program.

The proposed regulations were formally submitted to California’s Office of Administrative Law and published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on August 22, 2025. A 45-day public comment period has begun and will run through October 7, 2025.

On October 7, CalRecycle will also hold a hybrid public hearing starting at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) at its Sacramento headquarters. For those unable to attend in person, the hearing will be accessible online via Zoom.

Anyone—including individuals, community groups, and businesses—may submit written comments in support of or opposition to any section of the proposed regulations. Comments may be sent by post or submitted electronically through CalRecycle’s online portal. To ensure consideration, submissions must be received by the October 7 deadline, as late comments may not be reviewed.

Source: calrecycle.ca.gov