Recycling: beverage containers.

Assembly Member Gabriel's proposal to boost California's plastic recycling infrastructure focuses on creating a closed-loop system for beverage containers, laying groundwork for future policies that would prioritize in-state reuse of collected materials in manufacturing and packaging operations.

The measure builds upon California's existing Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, which requires refund values for containers and establishes a system of redemption payments between distributors and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. In its findings, the bill notes the role of plastic reclaiming facilities in waste reduction and outlines how a circular materials economy could affect both environmental and economic outcomes.

While this bill serves primarily as a statement of legislative intent rather than establishing specific programs or requirements, it provides context for forthcoming legislation to create detailed mechanisms promoting in-state recycling and reuse of plastic beverage containers. The measure requires a majority vote and involves no direct appropriations or fiscal impacts.