California coalition forms to promote state’s recycling goals

Californians for Recycling and the Environment (CRE) has announced the formal launch of its coalition, which aims to unite Californians, product manufacturers and lawmakers to find an effective, environmentally responsible and consumer-focused solution to reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes into the state’s landfills. 

According to a news release from CRE, the group is concerned about California’s Senate Bill (SB) 54 and Assembly Bill (AB) 1080. SB 54 was introduced by State. Sen. Ben Allen, State Sen. Nancy Skinner, State Sen. Henry Stern and State Sen. Scott Wiener. SB 54 would require the following: 

• a 75 percent reduction of the waste generated from single-use packaging by 2030; 
• a 75 percent reduction of the waste generated from priority single-use plastic products offered for sale or sold in the state through source reduction, recycling or composting; and 
• a 75 percent reduction of waste generated from all other single-use products offered for sale or sold in the state through source reduction, recycling or composting by 2030.

“Our concern is that, as written, SB 54 and AB 1080 will unintentionally eliminate many products that families rely on for their health and wellbeing because California doesn’t yet have the necessary recycling infrastructure in place,” says Micah Grant, a spokesperson for CRE. 

He continues, “CRE is absolutely committed to environmental sustainability and recycling. We stand ready to work with the legislature and all stakeholders to develop a thoughtful solution to our state’s recycling challenges that protects our environment, keeps Californians safe and ensures that the products we’ve come to rely on remain available and affordable.”

In the coming months, CRE plans to engage in an education and advocacy campaign to help identify and support a consensus solution to California’s recycling challenges, according to a news release from the coalition.

Click here to learn more about CRE.