On May 11, 2026, CalRecycle published SB 54 guidance documents regarding the identification of producers, the identification of covered materials, and the submission of a categorically excluded materials notice for food and agricultural packaging. 

As a reminder, SB 54 is California’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law for packaging, and its official name is the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act.

Each of the following guidance documents states that it is “informational only,” that “use of it is optional,” and that the statute and regulations are controlling.

1. Are you a Producer? A situational screening tool for California’s packaging law  

2. Identifying Covered Materials: Guidance for Producers of Single-Use Packaging and Single-Use Plastic Food Service Ware 

3. Guidance for Submitting a Categorically Excluded Materials Notice for Food and Agricultural Packaging  

These and other guidance documents may be found on CalRecycle’s new Producer Guidance webpage, and the final SB 54 regulations can be found on CalRecycle’s SB 54 Rulemaking webpage.

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