Initiative would reduce single-use packaging

Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to phase out the sale and distribution of single-use plastics by 2030. Senate Bill 54/AB XX establishes a comprehensive framework to address the pollution and waste crisis by dramatically reducing the amount of single-use waste generated in the state and requiring remaining packaging and products to be truly recyclable or compostable. Specifically, single-use plastic packaging and products sold or distributed in California must be reduced or recycled by 75 percent by 2030. The bill also creates incentives and policies to encourage manufacturing in the state using recycled material generated in California. California. SB 54 is co-authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

"We cannot continue to ignore the threat to public health and pollution posed by the rise of plastic waste," said Senator Ben Allen. “Every day, Californians generate tons of non-recyclable and non-compostable waste that clogs landfills, rivers and beaches. Waste often breaks down into toxic chemicals, some of which cause cancer, that find their way into our food and water systems. The future of California's quality of life is at stake. Instead of continuing to tinker with one-off bans on individual plastic items, we need a well-thought-out, comprehensive solution to tackle this serious problem head-on.”

“We have to stop treating our oceans and the planet like a garbage dump,” Assemblywoman González said. “Any fifth grader can tell you that our addiction to single-use plastics is killing our ecosystems. We have technology and innovation to improve the way we reduce and recycle plastic packaging and products in our state. Now, we have to find the political will to do it.”