California's Rigid Plastic Packaging Container Law is designed to increase the market for California generated post-consumer plastic resin as well as help divert plastics from disposal in landfills. It requires all manufacturers of rigid plastic packaging to meet one of three requirements. The RPPC law is implemented by CalRecycle.

Update: CalRecycle recently adopted new regulations regarding the RPPC program. Visit the CalRecycle website for more information or click here.

What is Covered

The law defines a rigid plastic container as meeting the following requirements:

• It is made entirely of plastic except for lids, caps, or labels. (NOTE: the adopted revisions include other non-plastic incidental packaging components such as hinges)
• It has a capacity of at least 8 fluid ounces but no more than 5 gallons.
• It can maintain its shape while holding a product.
• It is capable of multiple reclosures and has an attached or unattached lid or cap. (NOTE: the adopted revisions include heat-sealed closures)

Containers designed specifically for shipping drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, food or infant formula are exempt from the law, as are containers designed to ship toxic or hazardous products, as defined by federal law.

What the Law Requires

The law defines the manufacturer of the container to be the company name that appears on the logo of the container. Manufacturers of RPPCs that are sold or offered for sale in California must meet one of the following requirements:

1. The container is at least 10 percent source reduced, as defined.
2. The container is comprised of at least 25 percent recycled content.
3. The container is refillable or reusable at least five times, as defined.
4. The container has a 45% recycling rate for either particular type or product specific containers.

Additionally, manufactures may average one of the three requirements from #1-3, as defined. Producing a container that is recyclable does not fulfill these requirements. In 2004 the law was amended to repeal the requirement for CalRecycle to annually publish recycling rates for all RPPCs.

How the Law is Implemented

Manufacturers of RPPCs sold or offered for sale in California must sign a statement saying that they have met the requirements of the law. CalRecycle regularly reviews a select, random group of manufacturers to ensure they are meeting the RPPC requirements.

Additional Resources:

• CalRecycle: RPPC
• Plastic Litter and Waste Reduction Campaign
• California Bottle Bill