California seeks members for key EPR board

California officials are accepting applications from industry professionals who want to advise the state as it implements an extended producer responsibility program for curbside recyclables. 

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) opened the application process for members of the SB 54 Producer Responsibility Advisory Board. 

Senate Bill 54 was the landmark legislation that ushered in a host of recycling changes for the Golden State, including implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) for printed paper and packaging, forcing reductions in single-use plastic packaging and foodservice products, requiring that products be recyclable, mandating that a plastics recycling rate be achieved, and creating a fund to pay for environmental projects.

The Producer Responsibility Advisory Board will play an important role under the law. Producers will have to join a producer responsibility organization (PRO), which will draft a plan for carrying out the law’s requirements. 

That plan will be submitted to the advisory board for comment before it’s handed over to CalRecycle for review. The board is also charged with reviewing the initial recycling needs assessment that’s developed. 

The board will be made up of 16 members, each serving a three-year term. CalRecycle has opened an online application for nominating people to the board. It has set a submission deadline of 11:59 p.m. on March 24.

The law requires CalRecycle’s director to appoint the advisory board members by July 1, 2023.