Beverage containers: recycling.

Senator Blakespear's beverage container recycling legislation requires manufacturers to report the country of origin for imported recycled plastic content and obtain third-party validation of recycled materials used in California Redemption Value containers. The measure builds upon existing annual reporting requirements for virgin and recycled plastic usage in beverage containers.

Beginning March 2027, manufacturers must document the pounds of imported postconsumer recycled plastic by country of origin and demonstrate that recycled content meets Association of Plastic Recyclers standards or equivalent certification approved by state regulators. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery will publish aggregated import data on its website while keeping individual manufacturer reports confidential under Public Records Act exemptions.

The measure maintains current obligations for plastic reclaimers to report collection and sales volumes of empty containers, as well as requirements that recycled plastic manufacturers document their food-grade material production and sales. According to the bill's findings, the confidentiality provisions aim to protect proprietary information and prevent competitive disadvantages while maintaining public access to aggregate recycling data.