State agencies: solid waste diversion: single-use plastic bottles.

Senator Blakespear's waste reduction legislation aims to transform how California state agencies manage solid waste through new procurement restrictions and enhanced planning requirements. The bill prohibits state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles containing less than 90% recycled content starting January 2026, while requiring installation of water bottle refill stations and transition to reusable or recyclable alternatives like aluminum cans and glass bottles.

The legislation mandates that state agencies develop comprehensive waste management plans detailing specific reduction targets, including elimination of single-use plastic foodware by 2030 and 30% reduction in paper purchasing from 2024 levels. These plans must outline strategies for waste diversion, recycling education, and ensuring materials reach appropriate processing facilities. Agencies must submit their plans by July 2027 for department review and approval by January 2028.

New annual reporting requirements will track agencies' progress toward these goals. Reports must include disposal reduction calculations, analysis of factors affecting waste generation, and documentation of implementation efforts. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery will provide technical assistance and publish a list of waste-reducing products available for agency procurement. The Department of General Services will oversee compliance through its contracting procedures, with limited exceptions permitted for emergency situations and certain corrections facilities operations.

The California Community Colleges system falls under these requirements as a state agency, though the bill provides for reimbursement of implementation costs through existing state mandate procedures. This expands the existing requirement for state agencies to divert at least 50% of solid waste through reduction, recycling and composting activities.