California Signs New Law To Phase Out Single-Use Plastics

California is planning to phase out single-use plastics, with a huge reduction taking place by 2032.

Single-use plastics have been under fire for years as environmentalists, conservationists, and scientists worry about their lasting impacts on the world and climate change.

To help combat climate change and make a difference for future generations, California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 54.

Under SB 54, single-use packaging and plastic single-use food items must be recyclable or compostable by 2032.

In addition, the new law requires a 25% reduction in the sales of plastic packaging and for 65% of all single-use plastic packaging to be recycled.

California is also establishing an accountability group to help run a new recycling program to help promote recycling and reduce plastic waste.

Gov. Newsom said in a statement:

“Our kids deserve a future free of plastic waste and all its dangerous impacts, everything from clogging our oceans to killing animals — contaminating the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. No more.”

The law was signed on the same day the Supreme Court issued a ruling to limit the power of the EPA in regulating carbon emissions from power plants – a huge blow to environmental efforts.

In an interview with CNN, Judith Enck, a former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator, said: “Remember that when you’re making plastic, there’s the greenhouse gas emissions, but these facilities also emit massive amounts of air toxins and particulates. It’s really a health threat.”