Sen. Blakespear Calls for Regulations to Reduce Plastic Packaging to Stick to Timeline

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, issued the following statement regarding efforts to slow down or derail implementation of SB 54 regulations designed to reduce plastic packaging in products:

“Following through on the implementation of SB 54 is crucial to California’s efforts to reduce plastic waste, move to a more sustainable future and ultimately reduce garbage and costs for consumers.

A 2025 CalRecycle analysis indicated SB 54 could deliver $32 billion in net benefits and slash plastic waste by 1.9 billion pounds. 

The passing of the original legislation and the development of the regulations has been a long, methodical process, and it should not be slowed down or stopped as we approach implementation simply because some don’t want to comply.

Plastic pollution is poisoning our waterways and environment, filling our landfills and increasing the volume of garbage and what Californians pay to dispose of it. It’s more important than ever to hold to the goals of SB 54 and follow through on meeting them.

California should not undercut the law at the finish line to protect industry from the very responsibility SB 54 was designed to require. The choice is straightforward – either producers take responsibility for the waste they put into California or taxpayers and ratepayers continue picking up the tab.”

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.