Earth Day in Action: California Delivers Real Results on Waste, Recycling, and Climate
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This Earth Day, California is proving that cutting waste and protecting communities can go hand in hand. New statewide data shows California’s shift toward a circular economy, one that uses less and reuses more, is delivering real results for people, businesses, and the environment.
By the Numbers
Organics Recycling and Food Recovery
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1.08 billion meals rescued and delivered to Californians facing hunger under the state’s organics recycling and surplus food rescue law.
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97% of required communities and 75% of required businesses now have the capacity to recycle organic waste, turning food into energy and compost instead of methane.
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3 million cars’ worth of air pollution will be cut each year by achieving California’s food recycling and rescue goals.
Beverage Container Recycling
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Producer Responsibility Success
California’s nation-leading extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are shifting the burden of collection and proper management from consumers to industry. To date, these programs have collected and responsibly managed:
What’s Next: New Producer Responsibility Programs Coming
California will soon see new producer funded and managed programs, including:
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Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707, 2024) creates an industry-funded and managed system to collect, repair, reuse, and recycle textiles and apparel.
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Loose battery EPR (AB 2440, 2022) makes producers responsible for collection and recycling of covered batteries, with drop-off sites in every county, including at major retailers.
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Packaging Producer Responsibility (SB 54, 2022) requires producers to design more sustainable packaging and finance statewide systems to collect, recycle, and reduce single-use plastic waste.
By 2032:
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100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware sold in the state will be recyclable or compostable
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65% of single-use plastic packaging and food service ware will be recycled
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25% less plastic will be sold statewide
Building California’s Circular Economy and Waste-Free Future
California’s Zero Waste Plan is more than an environmental strategy. It’s an economic one. A fully circular economy in the state by 2050is projected to generate:
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$411 billion in economic growth
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$11 billion in avoided health and environmental costs
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Over 500,000 new jobs across recycling, reuse, and manufacturing sectors
California continues to lead the nation in cutting waste, reducing pollution, recovering valuable resources, and building a cleaner, healthier future that works for communities, the environment, and future generations.
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