AB 2287

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing law prohibits a person from selling a plastic product in the state that is labeled with the term "compostable," "home compostable," or "marine degradable" unless, at the time of sale, the plastic product meets the applicable ASTM standard specification or the Vincotte OK Compost HOME certification, as provided. Existing law prohibits the sale of a plastic product that is labeled as "biodegradable," "degradable," or "decomposable," and prohibits implying that a plastic product will break down, fragment, biodegrade, or decompose in a landfill or other environment, unless the plastic product meets one of several specified standards relating to environmental marketing claims. This bill would repeal the provision that conditionally prohibits the sale of a plastic product that is labeled "marine degradable." The bill would authorize the Director of Resources Recycling and Recovery to issue guidelines for determining whether a plastic product is not compliant with these labeling requirements, and whether a plastic product is designed, pigmented, or advertised in a manner that is misleading to consumers. The bill would authorize the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to adopt the European Committee for Standardization's standard specification for biodegradable mulch film plastic, or a standard that is equivalent to, or more stringent than, that standard, as specified. The bill would authorize the sale of commercial agricultural mulch film, as defined, labeled with the term "soil biodegradable" only if the department adopts the European Committee for Standardization's standard specification, or an equivalent or more stringent standard, and the commercial agricultural mulch film is certified to meet both that standard and the ASTM standard specification for compostability. The bill would update the name of a specified certification for home compost, the name of the organization that developed that certification, and the names of two ASTM standard specifications, and would make other conforming changes. (2) Existing law requires the department, by July 1, 2020, to convene a Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling. Existing law requires the commission, by January 1, 2021, to, among other things, issue policy recommendations to achieve specified market development goals and waste reduction goals, and to identify products that are recyclable or compostable, as defined, and regularly collected in curbside recycling programs. This bill instead would require the commission to issue preliminary recommendations on or before January 1, 2021, and to issue final policy recommendations and identify the products described above by July 1, 2021. The bill would require the commission to provide an opportunity for the public to review and provide comment before finalizing a recommendation or identifying a product described above. The bill would authorize the commission to share the recommendations and identifications with the Legislature or any state or federal agency. (3) Existing law requires a business that generates 4 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste or organic waste per week to arrange for recycling services, as specified. Existing law requires a business that is subject to either of those requirements and that provides customers access to the business to provide customers with a recycling bin or container for that waste stream that complies with prescribed requirements. This bill would specify that, for a theme park, amusement park, water park, resort or entertainment complex, zoo, attraction, or similar facility that is subject to either of those requirements, the requirement to provide customers with a recycling bin or container applies on and after January 1, 2022.