Ambitious plan to phase out single-use plastic opposed by chemicals industry – while green groups say law too timid

A groundbreaking California law that compels packaging producers to phase out single-use plastics is already sparking anger from the chemicals industry and environmental groups just weeks after going into effect.

The law, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022 but only took effect in May, requires plastic and packaging companies to use less single-use plastic, and ensure by 2032 that all packaging is either recyclable or compostable. The big idea is to incentivize producers of plastics to consider the end of their products’ life in order to create better, more sustainable bottles, containers and wrappings.

Under the new rules, plastic producers have to cut single-use plastic, increase recycling rates, and pay $5bn to remedy harms from plastic pollution.

  • pageflight@piefed.socialEnglish
    37·
    2 days ago

    I was wondering why environmental groups would be unhappy with this:

    Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental groups, including the NRDC, is also challenging the law – but for different reasons. They say the state’s rules break the law by allowing recycling methods that create toxic waste, and by letting some plastics slip through the rules entirely by changing the definition of recycling.

    “We need to make sure the recycling that happens under it is real and not imaginary and not greenwashing, and we need to make sure that all plastic products that were intended to be covered by the law are covered – and those are the loopholes that were created by the regulations that were finalized, and that’s why we’re suing now,” says Kar.