Recycling & Waste Management

Modifies safety requirements for large trash containers by extending reflector compliance deadlines to January 2025. Requires reflectors on all sides of trash containers over 3 feet long and 4 feet tall placed on roadways. Imposes fines up to $1,000 for containers lacking proper reflective markings after notice. Mandates owners to label containers with their name and current phone number.

Bans the sale of seven common consumer products containing PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2027. Authorizes regulators to ban additional product categories when safer alternatives are available at similar costs. Exempts medical devices, pesticides, and products containing essential fluoropolymers from the restrictions. Requires an 18-month transition period before new product bans can take effect.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to promote recycling organic byproducts into livestock feed. Seeks to expand opportunities for converting organic waste materials into animal feed products.

Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for California residents enrolled in public assistance programs. Requires applicants to provide documentation proving eligibility for specific benefit programs like Medicaid or CalFresh. Mandates a comprehensive evaluation report on the program's impact by October 2029. Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the legislature.

Bans the sale of cleaning products, cookware, and other consumer goods containing PFAS chemicals starting January 2028. Requires manufacturers to certify their products are PFAS-free when requested by state regulators. Authorizes the Department of Toxic Substances Control to test products and enforce compliance by 2030. Exempts previously used products and items governed by federal regulations from the PFAS restrictions.

Establishes a streamlined approval process for large waterfront development projects in San Diego County. Requires waterfront projects to exceed 1 million square feet and enhance public access to qualify. Mandates the Coastal Commission to review development plans within 60 days of submission. Authorizes the Coastal Commission to charge fees for processing waterfront development applications.

Reduces the recycling deposit on small wine and spirits containers from 25 cents to 10 cents starting January 2026. Requires stores to update container deposit labels by January 15, 2026. Maintains the 25-cent deposit for wine and spirits containers larger than 24 fluid ounces.

Establishes a mandatory recycling fee on all new mattress purchases in California to fund recycling programs. Allows retailers to pay recycling fees directly to recycling organizations on behalf of consumers. Requires sellers to educate consumers about free mattress drop-off and collection options. Mandates clear disclosure of the recycling fee as a separate line item on purchase documents.

Streamlines hazardous waste treatment permits by allowing conditional authorizations for small-scale generators. Establishes new procedures for laboratories to treat and store hazardous waste without full permits. Updates underground storage tank regulations to exclude tanks used in closed-loop mechanical systems. Requires electronic submission of hazardous waste treatment notifications through a statewide system.

Establishes a statewide program to distribute opioid drug disposal systems to safely deactivate unused medications. Creates an online portal where residents can request free opioid disposal kits for home use. Prioritizes distribution of disposal systems to communities most impacted by the opioid crisis. Requires mailing of disposal kits with educational materials to high-risk households via USPS.

Requires metal shredding facilities to reimburse local air districts for air quality monitoring costs. Mandates fence-line air quality monitoring at metal shredding facilities by January 2027. Establishes public notification requirements when air pollution exceeds safety thresholds. Requires facilities to take corrective actions if contamination levels exceed safety limits.

Makes technical changes to existing plastic pollution prevention and producer responsibility requirements.

Expands California's paint recovery program to require manufacturers to collect and recycle leftover paint products. Mandates paint manufacturers to develop educational materials about proper paint handling and recycling. Requires paint manufacturers to invest in apprenticeship programs for training future painters. Establishes multilingual outreach efforts to ensure all California communities can participate in paint recycling.

Establishes intent to promote in-state recycling of plastic beverage containers for local manufacturing. Recognizes the plastic reclaiming industry as essential for reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Aims to create jobs and economic growth through closed-loop recycling systems.

Requires beverage manufacturers to report the origin of imported recycled plastic used in containers by March 1 annually. Mandates third-party validation of recycled content in beverage containers using specific ISO standards. Requires public posting of manufacturer recycling reports on the state website within 45 days. Exempts refillable plastic beverage containers from these reporting requirements.

Expands state water quality regulations to cover non-navigable waters starting January 2026. Requires annual inflation adjustments to civil penalties for water quality violations. Authorizes state and local prosecutors to enforce water quality violations with penalties up to $75,000 per day. Mandates water quality monitoring and reporting for previously unregulated water bodies.

Requires environmental justice review before approving new landfill permits in California. Mandates county supervisors to hold public hearings on landfill impacts in disadvantaged communities. Requires evaluation of community health data when assessing new landfill locations. Prohibits landfill permits unless counties verify compliance with environmental justice standards.

Establishes a manufacturer-funded program for collecting and safely disposing of marine emergency distress flares. Requires manufacturers to submit disposal management plans to state regulators by January 2028. Prohibits the sale of marine flares containing perchlorate in California. Creates a Marine Flare Recovery Fund to cover state oversight and enforcement costs.

Establishes a state goal to reduce alcohol and drug-related deaths by 50% by 2033. Requires the Health and Human Services Agency to develop an implementation plan by January 2028. Creates a diverse task force of experts and stakeholders to recommend evidence-based solutions. Mandates quality standards for addiction treatment services and medication access.

Establishes vape pens confiscated by schools as household hazardous waste requiring proper disposal. Authorizes hazardous waste facilities to safely disassemble vape pens to separate batteries and components. Prohibits facilities from including confiscated vape pens in materials exchange or recycling programs. Requires schools to follow strict transport protocols when moving confiscated vape pens to disposal facilities.

Expands hazardous materials management funding eligibility to all California counties under 150,000 residents. Provides up to 75% of program costs for counties with fewer than 70,000 residents. Caps total funding at $60,000 per eligible county. Requires legislative budget approval before funds can be distributed.

Requires local agencies to permanently match state standards for using recycled materials in road construction. Mandates agencies to justify any inability to meet recycled material requirements when requested. Removes existing requirements to use advanced technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Exempts smaller cities and counties with populations under 25,000 and 100,000 respectively from these rules.

Establishes new recycling requirements for plastic manufacturers to use minimum recycled content in their products by 2028. Requires manufacturers to register annually and pay up to $1,000 in fees starting July 2026. Mandates third-party certification of recycled content levels in plastic products beginning January 2029. Imposes penalties of 40 cents per pound on manufacturers who fail to meet recycled content requirements.

Expands state waste management program to fund removal of abandoned recreational vehicles and illegal dumping enforcement. Authorizes new grants to public entities for cleaning up illegal disposal sites. Requires local agencies to provide ongoing enforcement to prevent recurring illegal dumping. Prioritizes cleanup projects in disadvantaged communities to promote environmental justice.

Bans harmful chemicals in food packaging including bisphenols and ortho-phthalates starting January 2027. Requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to set safety thresholds for unintentionally added chemicals. Imposes penalties up to $5,000 for first violations and $10,000 for subsequent violations. Applies to all food containers, wrappers, and disposable food service items.