Bill > SB45

This bill requires beverage manufacturers to ensure that plastic beverage container caps are tethered to the container starting January 1, 2027, so that the cap remains attached when removed by a consumer. The legislation aims to reduce environmental pollution and protect marine wildlife by preventing plastic caps from becoming litter. The bill provides several exemptions: beverage containers with recycling rates over 70% are exempt until January 1, 2028, and containers holding two liters or more, as well as those containing beer, wine, spirits, or 100% fruit juice, are permanently exempt. Small beverage manufacturers that sell or transfer fewer than 16 million plastic containers annually are also excused from the requirement. The bill is based on findings that plastic bottle caps are a significant source of beach litter and pose a serious threat to marine wildlife, with similar regulations already implemented in the European Union. Some U.S. beverage producers have already voluntarily started using tethered caps. By creating this new requirement, the bill establishes a new crime under the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, which means violations could result in criminal penalties.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB45