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Aquamor designs, develops, and manufactures water filters, systems, and filtration related products. We sell many products that support the water treatment industry. Our experience and knowledge in this area are second to none! We pride ourselves on the ability to create new products, and envision new features and benefits that make the products we design and manufacture unique.

42188 Rio Nedo Rd, Temecula, CA 92590

Phone: 951-541-9517
Fax: 951-296-1050

California SB 54 is Officially in Effect and What You Need to Know

by | May 27, 2026

California SB 54 is officially in effect — and companies both inside and outside California may be impacted.

On May 1, 2026, CalRecycle announced that the permanent regulations for SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, were officially approved and became effective immediately.

SB 54 establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware sold, distributed, or imported into California.

What Businesses Need to Know

SB 54 shifts responsibility for packaging waste management from consumers and local governments to producers, including manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and companies selling covered materials into California.

The law applies broadly to businesses that place packaged products into the California market, regardless of where the company is headquartered.

Key Program Requirements

  • Producers must join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), currently the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), to manage compliance obligations.
  • Producers are required to fund the program, including approximately $5 billion over 10 years for recycling infrastructure, environmental mitigation, and system improvements.
  • The law establishes a Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund and mandates statewide recycling system enhancements.
  • Oversight and enforcement are managed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Packaging Covered Under SB 54

The regulation covers a wide range of packaging materials, including:

  • Primary packaging: bottles, jars, tubs, wrappers, bags
  • Secondary packaging: boxes, cartons, multipack packaging
  • E-commerce packaging: mailers, bubble wrap, cushioning materials
  • Plastic films: shrink wrap and overwrap

Why This Matters

For companies selling packaged products into California, SB 54 is more than a recycling regulation. It impacts packaging design, supplier coordination, material tracking, reporting requirements, compliance planning, and long-term cost management.

Additional Resources

CalRecycle SB 54 page: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/packaging/packaging-epr/

Circular Action Alliance California page: https://circularactionalliance.org/california