A coalition of packaging and business groups has sued to block California's "truth in labeling" law, arguing the recyclability label mandate set to take effect in October 2026 will burden companies and distort recycling markets.
The groups argue that SB 343, enacted in 2021, could make it more difficult for consumers to correctly identify recyclable packaging and ultimately increase landfill volumes. Clear and consistent labeling is essential for maintaining circularity across grocery, food service and agricultural packaging supply chains, the plaintiffs said.
SB 343 prohibits companies from using the chasing arrows recycling symbol or making recyclability claims unless their packaging meets state verified collection and processing criteria. The law is the first at the US state level to bar the chasing arrows symbol on products that do not qualify as recyclable under California's standards. CalRecycle has published a list of materials that meet the criteria, including PET, HDPE/LDPE and PP rigid containers, along with certain multi use products.
To qualify, a material must be collected for recycling by at least 60pc of California residents, and recycling facilities must sort it into defined streams representing at least 60pc of statewide programs. Companies will have until early October 2026 to implement any required label or mold changes.
The law also ties into SB 54, California's extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for single use packaging. While SB 343 governs recyclability labeling for all products and packaging, SB 54 sets broader 2032 requirements for recyclability and compostability. But SB 54 relies on the definitions established under SB 343, making the labeling law foundational to the EPR program's implementation.
