By Assemblymember Phil Ting–
As we ring in 2022, the Golden State will take significant steps toward reducing plastic pollution and reforming our criminal justice system—thanks to legislation I authored that takes effect on January 1. Most transformative is AB 793, which will make your sodas, bottled water, and other drinks come in more environmentally friendly packaging. Under my bill, California becomes the first state in the country to mandate recycled plastic content standards, requiring CRV beverage containers to include post-consumer materials.
I think it’s ridiculous that companies make new plastic every time they need a bottle for their products. At the rate they were going, plastic waste will outnumber the fish in our oceans by 2050. The new law aims to reduce litter by creating a market for recycled plastics. Reusing what’s already been made also supports the state’s transition to a circular economy and moves us toward a more sustainable model.
California uses a phased-in approach. At first, the next drink you grab will have at least 15% recycled materials in that plastic bottle. By 2030, the standard reaches 50%—the highest threshold in the world, surpassing the 30% mandate in the European Union. The AB 793 plastic bottle standard applies to all drinks sold in our state, regardless of where the container was made. Otherwise, manufacturers will face fines for missing the targets.
This new law will also help prop up our state’s recycling centers. The dwindling U.S. demand for recycled plastic has led, in part, to the tidal wave of recycling center closures in California, leaving consumers with fewer places to take their bottles and cans to get their CRV deposits back.
Additionally, China and other overseas markets stopped buying much of California’s recycled waste. The result? Recyclable plastic is stacking up in warehouses, flooding our landfills, and polluting our environment. As mentioned earlier, we were on track to having plastic waste outnumber fish in our oceans, if we didn’t step in. AB 793 creates a different path by bolstering the market for recycled plastic. Naked Juice has been using plastic bottles made with 100% post-consumer recycled content since 2010, showing the switch can be successful.
Also set to take effect is AB 33, which helps our public schools and hospitals make the switch to greener energy. It allows them to be eligible for an existing low-interest state loan program to install clean energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging stations. An added benefit: they can continue to operate during a prolonged power outage.
I’m also excited about a new pilot program starting in San Francisco authorized by my bill, AB 1452. It raises the daily pay of low-income jurors from $15 to $100 to see if higher compensation leads to more diversified juries. Studies have shown diverse juries spend more time in deliberations and are less likely to presume guilt. Philanthropic funds raised will be used for the test period.
Additional reform implements a “second look” policy. AB 1540 prohibits the courts from denying resentencing motions without a hearing. This will make the system fairer and more equitable, while also moving California closer to ending mass incarceration.
I’m already working on my priorities for the 2022 legislative year. I look forward to telling you all about it in the coming months. I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and happy New Year!
Phil Ting represents the 19th Assembly District, which includes the Westside of San Francisco along with the communities of Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City.
Published on December 16, 2021
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