17 states take California to court over plastic packaging rules

A group of 17 states have sued California to block the enforcement of a strict recycling law centered on reducing plastic packaging waste. 

The lawsuit, obtained by The Associated Press, argues that California’s finalized rules that will slowly require organizations to cut back on single-use plastics, while making sure all packaging is recycled or compostable should be struck down. 

Meanwhile, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, which represents organizations that import and distribute goods in California, also joined the lawsuit. 

States sued California over plastic packaging rules 

Dig deeper:

The Associated Press reported that joining Nebraska in the lawsuit were 16 other states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Environmental groups also have sued over the California law. A group that included the Natural Resources Defense Council recently filed a complaint over what it said in a news release were "weakened" final regulations for the "landmark" law.

The lawsuit argues the law violates both the U.S. and California constitutions. It asks the court to declare California's law invalid and unenforceable and halt its implementation.

The lawsuit names as defendants Zoe Heller, director of California's recycling agency known as CalRecycle, and the Circular Action Alliance, a nonprofit involved with implementing the law.

What is the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act?

The backstory:

The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act was passed in 2022 by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

This legislation was designed to substantially lower single-use plastic packaging in California and boost recycling rates. It sets the nation’s strictest requirements for the use of plastic packaging.

Furthermore, plastic producers would have to reduce plastics in single-use products by 10% by 2027, increasing to 25% by 2032. That limit in plastic packaging can be met through lowering package sizing, transitioning to a different material or making the product easily reusable or refillable. 

And by 2032, plastic would have to be recycled at a rate of 65%, and it wouldn’t apply to plastic beverage bottles, which have their own recycling rules. 

 

EnvironmentCaliforniaNewsU.S.