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Recycled Plastic Content Requirements

Using more post-consumer recycled plastic to make new plastic products will reduce virgin plastic production and increase circularity.

Why Are Post-Consumer Resin Content Requirements Important?

Using post-consumer resin (PCR) content in plastic packaging is one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of the packaging. Requiring the use of PCR supports a robust recycling system by helping to:

  • Stabilize recycled content markets. Requiring use of North American PCR in packaging means more buyers — and more consistent buyers — of PCR resin. This in turn creates strong, ongoing demand for the post-consumer recycled plastic commodity bales generated by community recycling programs and processed to create PCR resins.
  • Level the competitive playing field. When PCR use is required across a packaging category, all brands and package converters have the same mandate to buy and incorporate PCR, reducing any competitive advantage or disadvantage in the marketplace.
  • Provide an environment for end market investment, innovation and growth. Increased market breadth, depth and consistency for recycled commodities and resins disrupts the boom-and-bust business cycle, building confidence and reducing risk for investors and innovators. 
  • Support the stability and expansion of community recycling programs. Multiple, consistent buyers for post-consumer recycled commodities send strong signals back to municipalities that they can continue to collect materials, invest in consumer recycling education, and potentially expand collection.

Laws Passed to Date Requiring PCR Content:
Dates & Rates

Green indicates rates currently in effect. Dates are January 1 unless otherwise noted.

As of August 2024, five states have passed laws requiring post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging. All require post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

StateProduct TypeInitial RateSecond TargetFinal Target
California
(AB 793)
Beverage bottles (glass and plastics)2022: 15%2025: 25%2030: 50%
CaliforniaRigid plastic packaging container (exemptions apply)1995: 25%
California
(SB270)
Plastic reusable grocery bags2016: 20%2020: 40%
CaliforniaTrash bags1998: 10%
Washington
(SB 5022
)
Plastic beverage bottles2023: 15%2026: 25%2031: 50%
Washington
(SB 5022)
Plastic wine containers (187 ml); Dairy milk containers2028: 15%2031: 25%2036: 50%
Washington
(SB 5022)
Plastic household cleaning & personal care products2025: 15%2028: 25%2031: 50%
Washington
(SB 5022)
Plastic trash bags2023: 10%2025: 15%2027: 20%
Washington
(ESSB 5323)
Reusable carryout bags2022: 40%
New Jersey
(S2515)
Plastic beverage containers2024: 15%5% increase
/3 years
50%
New Jersey
(S2515)
All other rigid plastic containers2024: 10% (food exempted
until 2027)
10% increase/3 years50%
New Jersey
(S2515)
Plastic carryout bags2024: 20%2027: 40%
New Jersey
(S2515)
Plastic trash bags (varies by bag thickness)2024: 5-20%2027: 10-40%
Maine
(LD 1467)
Plastic beverage containers2026: 25%2031: 30%
Connecticut
(HB 6664)
Plastic beverage containersReport by end of 20232027: 25%2032: 30%

Five states now have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws in place to help increase collection. All of these laws include recycled content incentives or goals, combining supply and demand side policies to improve recycling in a comprehensive way.

Minimum Recycled Content Laws for Plastic Packaging

  • Recycled content levels required to be set in EPR program
  • Existing Law

Canada: recycled content levels to be proposed at federal level

EPR state map

How Can You Support PCR Use and Support Recycled Plastics Markets?

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Get PCR Certified

Both Oregon and California cite APR's PCR Certification Program (or similar) for aspects of compliance with state laws, and more states are likely to include certification to ensure accountability. If you’re a reclaimer, brand or converter, get started now.

APR PCR Certification
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Advocate for PCR

Push for more recycled content in non-packaging products, both in policy and in your own operations.

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Stay in the Know

Track updates on new recycled content and EPR proposals via this page, blog posts, e-newsletters and in person at our APR meetings.

Recycled Plastic Content Requirements FAQs

The common exemptions across state laws include:

  • Small manufacturers (<1 ton of containers or <$1M in revenue)
    • Liners, caps, corks, closures, labels
  • Exemptions/waivers for inadequate supply, conflict with federal requirements, or technical feasibility

California, Connecticut, Maine beverage bottle requirements:

Washington:

  • Medical, drug, dietary supplements, aerosols, infant formula, commercial cleaners

New Jersey:

  • <8 oz or larger than 5 gallons
  • Milk products
  • Medical food, food for special dietary use, infant formula

This list of exempted products may not be comprehensive, and small manufacturers may be required to register (or report) in some states. Pease check directly with the state regulatory bodies or your legal counsel if these laws affect your business.

If you are a larger brand, connect your sustainability and procurement teams to talk about incorporating PCR into products or packaging. You can also go directly to your package converter to talk about PCR in packaging and what options and innovations they can offer. If you’re a package converter looking for a PCR supplier, visit our Buyers & Sellers Directory or contact the APR.

Keep in mind that you can use PCR in your packaging and products, but also in work-in-progress items across your facility from pallets to totes to trash bags.

All state laws requiring PCR content stipulate that the PCR must be post-consumer, however certified post-consumer PCR is only required in certain state contexts to date. The APR encourages state legislators and regulators to incorporate PCR certification requirements to support North American recycled markets and provide full transparency. For more detail, see APR’s PCR Certification program.

PCR certification is required in California’s EPR law for any PCR used to meet the source reduction requirement, and for Oregon’s requirement for PCR in roll carts. Its requirement is discretionary for New Jersey’s recycled content law, and potentially for Maine’s.

Have Questions About Proposed or Existing Legislation?

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