CalRecycle cuts SB 54 plastic packaging baseline to 1.03 million tons from 2.9 million
CalRecycle has revised the 2023 baseline used to measure compliance with California's SB 54 packaging EPR law, cutting it to 1.03 million tons of plastic covered material and 222 billion plastic components, down from an earlier estimate of more than 2.9 million tons and 171.4 billion components. The new figure is based on data reported by 2,127 producers, about half of all participants, to the state's chosen producer responsibility organisation, the Circular Action Alliance. SB 54 takes effect 1 January 2027, requiring producers to cut plastic packaging weight by 10 percent by that date, 20 percent by 2030 and 25 percent by 2032.
Why this mattersA baseline revision this large resets the compliance bar for every producer selling packaging into California, reshaping investment decisions ahead of the 2027 deadline.
- CalRecycle's updated 2023 baseline is 1.03 million tons of plastic covered material and 222 billion plastic components.
- The December 2024 initial baseline report had estimated more than 2.9 million tons and 171.4 billion plastic components.
- Data came from 2,127 producers, about 50 percent of total participant producers, reported to the Circular Action Alliance.
- SB 54 takes effect 1 January 2027, with source reduction thresholds of 10 percent by 2027, 20 percent by 2030 and 25 percent by 2032.
- The Circular Action Alliance must use reusable or refillable alternatives for at least 2 percent of covered material by 2027, rising to 10 percent by 2032.
- Producers may meet up to 8 percent of source reduction requirements annually through postconsumer recycled content, subject to CalRecycle approval of a compliance formula.