BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 215
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 17, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                 AB 215 (Chesbro) - As Introduced:  January 31, 2013

          Policy Committee:                              Natural  
          ResourcesVote:9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill modifies the definitions within the Rigid Plastic  
          Packaging Container (RPPC) law to make them consistent with  
          definitions in current regulations.   This bill also makes  
          various technical clean-up revisions.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible cost to the Department of Recycling, Recovery and  
          Reuse (CalRecycle).

           COMMENTS 

           1)Purpose.   This bill updates the RPPC law to reflect current  
            packaging types and recycling technologies consistent with  
            updated regulations effective January 1, 2013.  The  
            definitions in the law have not been updated since 2005.  

           2)  Background.   The Integrated Waste Management Act establishes  
            a state policy goal to divert 75% of solid waste from landfill  
            disposal by 2020.

            The RPPC Program was enacted to increase the use of recycled  
            plastic and reduce the amount of plastic waste disposed in  
            California landfills. The law regulates manufacturers,  
            producers, and generators of products sold or offered for sale  
            in regulated plastic containers. 

            By regulating plastic containers, the program supports new and  
            expanded infrastructures for collecting and recycling plastic  
            resins and promotes the demand for postconsumer material.








                                                                  AB 215
                                                                  Page  2


            All rigid plastic packaging containers sold or offered for  
            sale in the state, with exceptions for food and cosmetic  
            containers, are required to either be comprised of 25%  
            postconsumer material; have a 45% recycling rate; be a  
            reusable package or be a source-reduced  package (container  
            has been reduced by 10% of previous size).

            A rigid plastic container is capable of maintaining its shape  
            when filled with liquid products. 




           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081