Top Environmental Regulators from CalRecycle, California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, will discuss possible future changes in the regulatory climate impacting plastics recycling in California at The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Spring Meeting in Sacramento, CA on June 6-8. APR, the leading international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, has worked over the past several years with CalRecycle to boost the supply and enhance the quality and value of recycled plastics in the state and beyond. 

“APR has worked closely with CalRecycle for many years now,” Steve Alexander, APR’s executive officer comments. “We feel these presentations represent a unique opportunity for our industry to hear directly from the regulatory community on issues which could impact the direction of plastics recycling for years to come. As a bellwether state, California sets the tone for the entire country.”

Three separate departments from Calrecycle will present to APR members. Topics will include updates on existing programs such as Mandatory Recycled Content, degradable additives, product bans, the Plastics Market Development Program, the California Refund Value (CRV), and enforcement of California’s Rigid Plastic Container Packaging (RPPC) law. Potential future regulatory actions such as extended producer responsibility, product bans, changes in the resin identification code, and others will be addressed as well.

“As we have seen in the past, regulations passed in California are often duplicated in other states,” J. Scott Saunders, general manager of KW Plastics Recycling and APR’s Board Chair, says. “In 2013, APR worked to pass Degradable Plastic Labeling laws in North Carolina and Alabama shortly after the law was passed in California. Being informed of the California regulatory climate is essential to APR members.”

Visit www.plasticsrecycling.org for additional information including the upcoming meeting and agenda.