Plastics Waste Management

California's Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC) Law

• Overview of the Law
• How Has the Law Changed?
• Why Is the Law Important?
• Who’s Regulated?
• RPPC Rulemaking (2007)
• More Information

Overview of the Law

The Rigid Plastic Packaging Container (RPPC) law was enacted as part of an effort to increase the use of recycled plastic and reduce the amount of plastic waste disposed in California landfills. The law regulates companies that produce or generate products that are held in RPPCs that are sold or offered for sale in California. The law is enforced by the California Integrated Waste Management Board through an annual certification process of regulated companies.

How Has the Law Changed?

On September 16, 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 1729 (Chesbro, Chapter 561, Statutes of 2004), which repeals the requirement for the Board to annually publish recycling rates for all RPPCs—the "all-container rate"—and for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers. As of January 1, 2005, these rates are no longer available as a compliance option to regulated product manufacturers. Product manufacturers must now demonstrate compliance through one of the remaining options provided under the law. Regulated companies are expected to be in compliance at all times regardless of whether or not they are included in a Board certification.

Why is the Law Important?

California’s RPPC law supports new and expanded infrastructures for collecting and recycling plastic resins in California and around the world. The law diverts plastics from disposal in California landfills by supporting demand for postconsumer material, which in turn encourages recyclers to divert more material that would otherwise go to landfills. Continued implementation and effective enforcement of the law is essential to follow through on the Board’s commitment to protect the environment and is critical to maintaining demand for postconsumer resins.

Who’s Regulated?

The law applies to manufacturers/producers/generators of products sold or offered for sale in regulated RPPCs as defined by law. When a company’s name, or any of its brand names or subsidiaries or affiliates, appears on the container label of a product that is sold or offered for sale into the State of California, either directly or indirectly (for example, through distributors, franchises, internet sales, etc.), then that company is subject to the requirements of the California RPPC law.

Product manufacturers are expected to be in compliance with California’s RPPC law at all times. The law requires the Board to annually publish a list of penalties that have been levied against any violator; product manufacturers who are assessed penalties will be listed on the Board’s website.

More Information

For more information on what constitutes an RPPC, who must comply and how compliance is determined, exemptions, penalties, and other topics, please see our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.

Last updated: November 25, 2007