2023 - 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
CAW PRIORITY LEGISLATION
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
SB 1053 (Blakespear & Bauer Kahan) amends current law to no longer allow specific stores to provide ‘thicker’ plastic bags at check stands as ‘reusable’ bags.
AB 660 (Irwin) requires food manufacturers to use uniform terminology when labeling their products with "safety" or "quality" dates, and bans the use of consumer-facing "sell-by" dates.
SB 244 (Eggman) requires manufacturers of consumer electronics to provide replacement parts, diagnostic information, and service literature to consumers and third-party repair businesses.
SB 353 (Dodd) expands California’s Bottle Bill to include juice containers 46 oz and larger and fixes a flaw in the payment formula that funds recycling centers.
NO LONGER MOVING
AB 891 (Irwin) would have established a non-binding policy goal to support the use non-petroleum materials in plastic beverage containers.
AB 1290 (L.Rivas) would have eliminated several of the most problematic forms of plastics that contaminate recycling or pose a risk to human health.
AB 1347 (Ting) would have required businesses to provide customers the choice between receipt or no receipt and prohibited the use of bisphenols in receipts.
AB 1534 (Irwin) would have required the CARB to incorporate remote sensing technologies into landfill regulations.
AB 1705 (McKinnor) would have instituted a moratorium on the establishment and expansion of transformation and EMSW facilities until specific recycling and organic waste goals have been met for three consecutive years.
AB 2577 (Irwin) would have directed CalRecycle to regulate expiration date labels under SB 1383.
AB 2761 (Hart) would prohibit toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PFAS in plastic packaging which harm human health.
SB 552 (Newman) would have required restaurants to provide reusable foodware for on-site dining.
SB 1167 (Blakespear) would have required large chain restaurants to serve beverages in reusable cups for dine-in customers.
OTHER WASTE & RECYCLING LEGISLATION
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
AB 421 (Bryan) — State Referendum and Ballot Initiative Reform
Makes changes to the state referendum and ballot reform processes to clarify what voting yes or no on a measure entails, among other changes.
AB 590 (Hart) — Advanced Payments for State Grants & Contracts for Nonprofits
Allows for advanced payments for state grants & contracts for nonprofits to proceed more quickly with approved projects given minimum requirements are met.
AB 863 (Aguiar-Curry) — Changes to California Carpet Recycling Program
Makes changes to the CARE carpet recycling program, including increasing fines, adding CA stakeholders to the CARE board, setting a closed loop recycling target and allocating 8% of the funds collected for workplace apprenticeship programs, among other changes.
Sponsored by National Stewardship Action Council
AB 1059 (Friedman) — Ban on Fiberglass in Mattresses & Furniture
Prohibits the sale or distribution of new mattresses and furniture containing fiberglass after January 1, 2027.
Sponsored by Environmental Working Group
AB 1526 (Assembly Natural Resources Committee) — Expanding PaintCare program
Expands existing PaintCare extended producer responsibility program to include aerosols among other changes.
AB 1548 (Hart) — Expanding Eligibility for CalRecycle Grants and Loans
Expands eligibility for CalRecycle’s existing grant & loan program for organics recycling, reuse, and other material recovery projects.
Sponsored by Rural County Representatives of California
AB 2346 (Lee) — SB 1383 Procurement Assistance for Local Governments
Provides additional tools and pathways for local jurisdictions to meet their SB 1383 procurement requirements, including through the use of individual/regional procurement targets tied to waste characterization data and the addition of edible food recovery and community compost, among other changes.
Sponsored by StopWaste
AB 2511 (Berman) — Extension of the PMD Program
Extends the sunset for the Plastic Market Development Program that was set to expire.
AB 2902 (Wood) — Implementing SB 1383 for rural jurisdictions
Addresses rural jurisdictions’ issues with implementation of SB 1383, including extending existing rural waivers, allowing some alternate compliance strategies for low-population jurisdictions, among other changes.
Sponsored by Rural County Representatives of California
SB 253 (Wiener) — Climate Corporate Accountability Act
Requires all U.S.-based companies that make over $1 billion in annual revenue to publicly report all their greenhouse gas emissions, including their direct, indirect, and supply-chain emissions.
Sponsored by California EnviroVoters, Carbon Accountable/Sunrise Movement Bay Area
SB 261 (Stern) — Climate Financial Risk Disclosure
Requires corporations and financial institutions with at least $500 million in revenues to annually disclose their climate-related financial risk, beginning in 2026.
SB 568 (Newman) — Exporting Electronic Waste
Prohibits exports of e-waste unless there is no capacity to recycle in California.
Sponsored by Camston Wrather
SB 613 (Seyarto) — SB 1383 Low Population Exemption
Extends the timeline for applying for a low population exemption under SB 1383.
SB 707 (Newman) — Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024
Mandates the formation of a Producer Responsibility Organization that manages the collection, transportation, sorting, and repair of textiles and apparel.
Sponsored by California Product Stewardship Council
SB 1143 (Allen) — Paint Extended Producer Responsibility
Expands the existing PaintCare Program to include additional paint products.
Sponsored by National Stewardship Action Council
SB 1147 (Portantino) — Microplastics in Drinking Water
Requires OEHHA to study and establish a Public Health Goal for microplastics in drinking water.
SB 1280 (Laird) – Refillable Propane Cylinders
Prohibits the sale of propane cylinders unless they are reusable or refillable by January 1, 2028.
Sponsored by California Product Stewardship Council
VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR
AB 246 (Papan) — PFAS in Menstrual Products
Would have prohibited the sale of menstrual products containing PFAS.
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 249 (Holden) — Lead Testing in Schools
Would have required community water systems that serve schools to test for lead.
Sponsored by Environmental Working Group
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 407 (Chen) — Used Oil Recycling
Would have provided an alternate management pathway for used oil to be recycled.
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 457 (Aguiar-Curry) - Wine & Distilled Spirit CRV Reduction
Would have lowered the CRV on wine and distilled spirits in containers under 24 ounces from 15 cents to 10 cents per container.
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 552 (Bennett) — Farmer Equipment Sharing
Would have required the Department of Food & Agriculture to develop a pilot program to support regional farm equipment sharing
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 1489 (Wood) — Exempting Compostable Plastics from SB 54
Would have exempted compostable plastics from SB 54 source reduction requirements
Read veto message from the Governor
AB 1628 (McKinnor) — Microfiber Filtration for Washing Machines
Would have required washing machine filters on new washing machines sold in California after January 1, 2029.
Sponsored by 5 Gyres, The Nature Conservancy & Ocean Conservancy
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 271 (Dodd) — Wheelchair Right to Repair
Would have required manufacturers of powered wheelchairs to provide parts, instructions and tools to authorized repair providers and users in order to complete repairs.
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 303 (Allen) — SB 54 Cleanup
Would have made clarifying changes to SB 54 (Allen).
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 615 (Allen & Min) — Electric Vehicle Batteries
Would have established requirements for reporting and end-of-life management requirements for EV batteries.
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 665 (Allen) — SB 54 Novel Plastics Working Group
Would have required CalEPA to develop framework for a working group to evaluate novel plastic and plastic alternatives as the state works to implement SB 54.
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 728 (Limon) — Ban on Plastic Gift Cards
Would have prohibited the sale of gift cards made of PVC plastic after January 1, 2027.
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 777 (Allen) — Plastic bag reporting requirements
Would have required stores covered by the statewide bag ban to report on sales of recycled paper and reusable bags.
Sponsored by United Food & Commercial Workers
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 972 (Min) — SB 1383 Assistance for Local Jurisdictions
Would have bolstered CalRecycle’s local assistance for jurisdictions in the implementation of organic food waste diversion programs under SB 1383.
Sponsored by CalCities
Read veto message from the Governor
SB 1066 (Blakespear) — Marine Flare Extended Producer Responsibility
Would have mandated the establishment of a manufacturer responsibility program and plan for marine flares
Sponsored by National Stewardship Action Council
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATION
Hello, World!
AB 660 (Irwin)
OVERVIEW:
AB 660 requires food manufacturers to use uniform terminology when labeling their products with "safety" or "quality" date and bans the use of consumer-facing "sell-by" dates.
WHY SIMPLIFY DATE LABELS?
There are more than 50 differently phrased date labels used in the U.S. today, such as “Sell By,” “Expires On,” “Freshest Before,” “Please Enjoy By,” etc. Each of these phrases can be used to communicate different things by different brands, while some date labels contain no phrase next to them at all. The result is a confusing data labeling system and a staggering amount of food waste.
Research shows that 20% of all avoidable food waste is caused by consumer confusion over expiration dates, and streamlining these dates will reduce food waste, financial losses to consumers, and methane emissions from food rotting in landfills.
THE IMPACTS OF FOOD WASTE:
The environmental cost of food waste is undeniable. Food is the single most common material landfilled in California, and decomposing food and other organic waste in landfills accounts for 41% of the state’s point-source methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for about 30% of the global warming that is now driving climate change.
Californians toss nearly 6 million tons of food waste each year and confusion over date labels is a leading cause. Food systems inherently depend on natural resources, such as water, land, minerals, and fuel. As such, food systems directly impact our environment, and wasted food is fundamentally a squandering of the natural resources used to grow, process, distribute, and store our food.
Wasted food also has significant impacts on food security in California. A survey referenced in, The Dating Game: How Confusing Food Date Labels Lead to Food Waste in America found that 91% of consumers reported that they at least occasionally discarded food past its “sell by” date out of concern for food safety, and 25% reported always doing so. “Sell by” dates inform retailers’ stock rotation rather than inherent food quality or safety.
Food banks and food pantries often receive packaged foods that have passed their “sell by” dates and have found that customers feel they are being offered spoiled food and may reject it. This keeps edible food from hungry citizens when 1 in 5 Californians currently struggle with food insecurity.
Reducing food waste is especially critical considering the cost to households – the average American spends over $1,300 a year on food that is never eaten. Tossing food prematurely because of misleading date labels costs Californians billions each year. In a time of rising grocery bills and food insecurity, every bit of savings helps.
Preventing food waste is essential to slowing climate change, promoting resource conservation, increasing food security, and saving Californians money.
Press conference for Assembly Bill 660 at the California State Capitol, August 26, 2024.
From left to right: Aakash Vashee (Office of Asm. Jacqui Irwin), Darryl Little Jr. (NRDC), Brett Williams (Office of Asm. Jacqui Irwin), Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), Erica Parker (CAW), and Nick Lapis (CAW).
Position: Co-sponsored by Californians Against Waste & Natural Resources Defense Council
Contact: Nick Lapis & Erica Parker
Status: Signed by Governor Newsom
Current language, analysis, and votes: AB 660
See related legislation: AB 2577 (Irwin) Regulating Expiration Dates
WHAT DOES AB 660 DO?
AB 660 defines a standard for producer- and consumer-facing labels on packaged foods.
This bill requires manufacturers distributing non-exempt products in California to use the same format for quality and safety dates. AB 660 also prohibits consumer-facing “Sell By” dates and alternatively allows coded “Sell By” dates. Coded “Sell By” dates retain stock rotation information for retailers while eliminating the source of consumer confusion that results in the disposal of wholesome, nutritious food.
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Description text gThis bill goes into effect July 1, 2026.
A sell-through period is permitted, allowing manufacturers and retailers to “sell through” remaining products which were manufactured before July 1, 2026, that may not be labeled in accordance with the new requirements.oes here -
No. AB 660 does not require that manufactures and food producers add quality and/or safety dates on food items. The bill only requires (unless otherwise exempt) that any manufacturer/producer that decides to provide a date on the package must follow these rules:
1. There must be a phrase to accompany the date, and
2. The phrase must follow the approved formats for quality and safety dates accordingly. -
Description text goes hereWith the exception of baby formula, there are no federal regulations on food date labeling. Some states have regulated what food items need to have dates on them, but do not regulate what phrases (if any) are required to accompany those dates.
While this bill only applies to products sold in California, we are hopeful that AB 660 will serve as a catalyst for the enactment of similar legislation in other states. We are also hopeful that AB 660 will accelerate enactment of the Federal Food Date Labeling Act which similarly aims to clear up food date label confusion and reduce food waste.
Hello, World!
AB 891 (Irwin)
OVERVIEW:
AB 891 will establish a non-binding policy goal to support the use of non-petroleum materials in plastic beverage containers.
THE ISSUE:
The plastic manufacturing process is heavily reliant on the oil and natural gas market. This links recyclable plastic to the volatile oil and natural gas market, making the state’s recycling infrastructure subject to financial instability.
Position: Sponsored by Californians Against Waste
Contact: Mark Murray
STATUS: Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
Current language, analysis, and votes: AB 891
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AB 1290 (L. Rivas)
OVERVIEW:
AB 1290 would have eliminated several of the most problematic forms of plastics that contaminate recycling or pose a risk to human health, by prohibiting the use of PVC, PVDC, PET-G, or pigmented PET packaging, as well as prohibiting the addition of PFAS, carbon black, and oxo-degradable additives in plastic packaging
THE ISSUE:
These forms of plastic packaging create a barrier to achieving our state's recycling and toxicity goals, and many of the country's leading consumer brands have already committed to eliminating their use.
Read more about the harms these materials cause:
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – Nonrecyclable and extremely toxic at all stages of lifecycle.
Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) – Nonrecyclable and extremely toxic at all stages of lifecycle.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – Highly toxic and persistent chemicals.
Nondetectable Pigments (e.g., Carbon Black) – Nonrecyclable, can’t be identified by optical sorting equipment; carbon black is a carcinogen when inhaled, putting workers at risk.
Oxo-Degradable Additives – Fragments plastic into microplastics; nonrecyclable; impossible to clean up in the environment; both consists of and attaches to toxic chemicals; absorbed by people and animals.
PETG – Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol – Nonrecyclable, melts at higher temperature, gumming up machinery and contaminating otherwise recyclable batches of PET.
Opaque or pigmented PET Bottles – Difficult to recycle, no end market.
Position: Co-sponsored by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, Clean Water Action & Natural Resources Defense Council
Contact: Nick Lapis
Status: Dead. Not brought up for a vote in the Assembly prior to the house of origin deadline.
Current language, analysis, and votes: AB 1290
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AB 1347 (Ting)
OVERVIEW:
AB 1347 would have required businesses with an annual gross income over $25,000,000, subject to the Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, to provide customers the choice between receipt or no receipt by 2026, prohibits the use of bisphenol A in receipts by 2024, and prohibits the use of all bisphenols by 2025.
THE ISSUE:
With the increasing adoption of e-receipts, paper receipts are not only unnecessary, antiquated waste of paper, but many of them also expose consumers to toxic endocrine disruptors, like BPA.
Position: Sponsored by Californians Against Waste & Green America
Contact: Tony Hackett
Status: Dead. Held by Senate Appropriations Committee.
Current language, analysis, and votes: AB 1347