Dive Brief:
- Two bills requiring beverage companies to use a minimum amount of recycled materials in bottles are under consideration in California. Compliance is tied to discounts on fees companies pay to the state.
- Senate Bill 732 would mandate manufacturers of plastic drink bottles sold in California to prove a minimum of 10% of the bottle is comprised of recycled materials beginning in 2017; the legislation applies to all resins.
- Assembly Bill 1447 is legislation that looks to expand the current percentage of recycled content used in glass bottles; the current minimum is 35% and would cover all glass bottles filled in California, not just bottles manufactured in the state. It also requires a minimum of 10% recycled content for PET beverage and food containers.
Dive Insight:
Senate Bill 732 would require manufacturers to pay a recycling processing fee to CalRecycle. The state-run waste and recycling organization would subsidize the cost of recycling containers for recycling companies. If predetermined diversion rates are met, the state will reduce the amount of fees manufacturers are responsible for paying.
On average, Coca-Cola uses 6% recycled content in its PET packaging, and PepsiCo uses 10% recycled content in its beverage containers. Nestle reports that five of its brands are made from 50% to 100% recycled PET.
