Major Push Underway to Pause Packaging Regulation

As the state legislature gets ready to wind down this year’s legislative session, an all-out push is underway at the State Capitol to pause implementation of SB 54, the Single-Use Packaging Regulation. Earlier this week, 22 Assemblymembers and one Senator sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas requesting legislative action to address affordability concerns related to the regulation. The legislators expressed serious concerns about implementation costs and how those costs will be passed on to consumers. The letter specifically requested a delay in the assessment and collection of fees for 2026 and 2027 and committed to developing a reform package during the 2027–2028 legislative session to address affordability concerns. This was followed by a letter signed by 67 organizations, including the Western Tree Nut Association and the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, raising major concerns about cost impacts recently released by the Circular Action Alliance, which oversees implementation of the packaging regulation. Those costs include $2 billion in fees in the first year, $17.2 billion in fees over the next five years, and total compliance costs of $78 billion over five years. The Association has been, and continues to be, in contact with legislators to push for the pause. Association President and CEO Roger A. Isom stated, “Once again, California has pushed the envelope in pursuit of insurmountable environmental goals without considering the consequences for the very people they represent and claim to protect. The state needs to stop, take a step back, and find another way to reduce plastic pollution.”