California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Bill, known as SB 54, is a landmark law aimed at reducing plastic pollution and improving recycling infrastructure. The bill requires producers to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their packaging and single-use plastic products.
California Senate Bill 54 (SB 54) also known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, sets up a system called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which means that companies making packaging and plastic food containers are now responsible for reducing waste, making products easier to recycle or compost, and helping create a circular economy.
Under California Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), companies that make packaging and plastic food containers are responsible for their products from start to finish that is from design, production, use, till disposal. They must use materials that can be recycled or composted, use less single-use plastic, and help pay for systems that manage waste properly.
The law also requires setting up a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to make sure companies follow the rules. It sets big goals to cut waste and improve recycling by the year 2032.
The goal of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plan is to create a strong, producer-led system to reduce plastic pollution and packaging waste in California. It follows the rules set by Senate Bill 54 and focuses on the plastic packaging waste reduction by 25% by 2032, making packaging recyclable or compostable and to reach a 65% recycling rate for covered materials by 2032.
Overall, SB 54 moves California toward a circular economy, where producers are responsible for their products from start to finish, setting an example for the rest of the country in managing waste more sustainably.
ComplianceXL provides California Senate Bill 54 (SB 54) compliance consulting services and render EU’s new regulations collections to companies. We also help our customers to maintain their suppliers’ certificates and declarations on a regular basis to make sure they are up to date as part of their compliance data management strategy.
FAQs:
1. What is the deadline for PRO registration and submission?
The deadline for Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) registration and initial data submissions has been changed from July 1, 2025, to within 30 days after the rules become effective
2. What is the penalty for producers who fail to meet the SB 54 requirements?
Companies that do not comply with SB 54’s plastic reduction and recycling mandates may face civil penalties of up to $50,000 per day