Plastics Information and Resources

Priority Programs and Initiatives

The CIWMB is actively working toward developing more comprehensive solutions for managing plastic materials, and to mitigate for the adverse environmental impacts associated with plastic discards. This is being accomplished by effectively implementing its mandatory plastic programs and activities, as well as spearheading initiatives to develop new ideas and solutions.

Sustainability		Compliance
Current Initiatives Plastic Film Recycling Initiative Agricultural Plastic Film Pulling Technology Assessment and Development Study Plastics Recycling Information Clearinghouse Degradable Plastics Study Past Sustainability Initiatives Plastics White Paper Project (2002-2004) Compostable Plastics Study (2004) Plastic Container Recycling Initiative (2006)		Current Initiatives Plastic Trash Bags Rigid Plastic Packaging Containers At-Store Recycling Program Past Compliance Initiatives To be listed here when removed from Current Initiatives list.

 

Sustainability

Plastic Film Recycling Initiative

There is a need for increased collection and recycling of plastic film. CIWMB is expanding activities involving increased collection and recycling of plastics. The volume of plastics in California's waste stream is growing, and recycling rates for plastic materials are very low. CIWMB estimates that less than 5 percent of plastic in California is recycled. Production of plastic from virgin resources consumes petroleum and other natural resources; using recycled content can reduce the use of energy and other scarce natural resources used to produce plastic products.

The CIWMB encourages those interested in increasing collection and recycling of plastics in California to learn more about the Plastic Film Cooperative Recycling Initiative.

For additional information, contact Edgar Rojas, Plastics Program at (916) 319-6508.

Agricultural Plastic Film Pulling Technology Assessment and Development Study

The main objective of this study will determine if there is a need to develop technology or equipment to pull agricultural plastic film (mulch) in a suitable condition for transporting, washing, and processing. If a need is identified, the contractor will develop a performance specification for interested vendors and assist potential equipment vendors in developing and testing the demonstration prototypes.

The contractor, University of California, Los Angeles Extension, Engineering, Information Systems, and Technical Management, shall perform the following six tasks:

• Background Research

• Needs Assessment

• Assessment of Existing Pulling Technologies

• Prepare Interim Report

• Develop New and Improved Technologies and Equipment

• Prepare a Final Report

This study was supposed to be completed by Dec. 31, 2007. However, the contract was extended until the end of June 2008. The CIWMB is currently waiting for the contractor's final report.

Plastics Recycling Information Clearinghouse

The Board established this mandatory program in 1992 to provide information to postconsumer plastic collectors, reprocessors, and recyclers about programs collecting postconsumer plastics, availability of postconsumer plastics, and recent advances in postconsumer plastics recycling technology. The clearinghouse also helps those interested in learning how to start a plastic recycling business; assists students and researchers with information for research projects and publishing of articles; facilitates communication between buyers and sellers of recycled plastic materials; and develops public interest for recycled plastics.

Degradable Plastics Study

A study on degradable plastics was begun in June 2005. This project broadened the types of materials tested in the compostables study to degradable products (those not specifically designed to degrade in a compost facility per ASTM standard specifications) that are commercially available in California. More information on compostable and degradable plastics...

Compliance

Plastic Trash Bags

All manufacturers and wholesalers of regulated (thickness of 0.7 mil or greater) plastic trash bags sold in California must annually submit a certification to the CIWMB. The goal is to increase the use of recycled plastic in trash bags.

In their annual submittal, plastic trash bag manufacturers and wholesalers must certify that either: (1) their regulated trash bags were manufactured with 10 percent or more postconsumer material, or (2) they used 30 percent postconsumer material in all of their plastic products not subject to compliance with the Rigid Plastic Packaging Container or other minimum-content law; or (3) must demonstrate that there was an insufficient quality and/or quantity of postconsumer materials to satisfy the 10 or 30 percent standards. More on this program...

Rigid Plastic Packaging Containers

State law, originally enacted in 1991, requires that companies whose products are sold or offered for sale (either directly or indirectly) in California, which are held in rigid plastic packaging containers (RPPC), must conform with specified container requirements. California’s RPPC law supports new and expanded infrastructures for collecting and recycling plastic resins in California and around the world. The law diverts plastics from disposal in California landfills by supporting demand for postconsumer material, which in turn encourages recyclers to divert more material that would otherwise go to landfills. More on this program...

At-Store Recycling Program

All supermarkets (with over $2 million in annual sales), and retail establishments (with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space and a licensed pharmacy) which provide plastic carryout bags to customers must provide a location at the store for customers to recycle the bags.

The stores must maintain records on the amount of bags collected and recycled and submit annual reports to the CIWMB. The annual reports are due no later than April 1 of each year and must include information on the amount of bags recycled by the stores. More on this program...