DATE: May 12, 2025
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
SB54 Overview (The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act)
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) review and comment on this informational report.
End
SUMMARY
On June 30, 2022, Governor Newsom signed SB54 into law. SB54, also known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, aims to reduce the amount of plastic packaging in California. By January 1, 2032, SB54 will prohibit the sale, distribution, or import of single-use disposable packaging and foodware unless the packaging is recyclable or compostable. The law takes a comprehensive approach to reducing single-use packaging in California by establishing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program that shifts the responsibility of managing plastic pollution from local governments to producers and manufacturers.
CalRecycle is responsible for implementing SB54 and submitting final regulations to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). After more than two years of work on drafting regulations, on March 7, 2025, Governor Newsom cited public and small business cost concerns, directed CalRecycle not to submit SB54’s final rules to the OAL, and requested CalRecycle restart the formal rule-making process. This report provides an overview of the law, and discusses the potential benefits and issues associated with it.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report