- SB 54 would limit the amount of single-use plastics sold and distributed in California.
- Since 2022, regulators, lawmakers, environmentalists and industry groups have worked to write rules and regulations related to the law.
- Newsom told them to start over to ensure the law can “achieve its goal of cutting plastic pollution and is implemented fairly,” a spokesman said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has halted the implementation of SB 54, a landmark environmental law aimed at reducing single-use plastics, angering environmentalists. Signed in 2022, the law required companies to cut plastic packaging by 25% and ensure recyclability, shifting costs away from consumers. Regulators had finalized rules, but Newsom ordered a restart, citing cost concerns. Environmental groups accused him of caving to industry pressure, particularly as he eyes a potential presidential run. The law remains in effect, but its implementation is now uncertain, raising calls for stronger enforcement or a return to a voter-backed ballot measure.