Truth in Recycling SB 343: CA Packaging Law

California’s SB 343 (Truth in Recycling Law) prevents misleading recyclability claims. The law sets strict criteria that must be met before a product can display the chasing arrows symbol (♻️) or make any recyclability claims.

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What makes a product or packaging eligible to carry the ♻️

A product or packaging is considered recyclable in California if it is made of a material type and form that is collected for recycling by programs covering at least 60% of the state’s population, in addition the following criteria must also be met:

1. Design for Recyclability:
   • The product or packaging is designed to ensure recyclability and does not include any components, inks, adhesives, or labels that prevent the recyclability of the product or packaging. For plastic packaging follow APR Design® Guide published by the Association of Plastic Recyclers.
2. Chemical Restrictions
   
   • The packaging can’t have any intentionally added chemicals that California has identified as hazardous or unsafe for the environment under Section 42370.2 (g)(4).
3. PFAS Limitations:
   
   • It is not made from plastic or fiber containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances) that meet either of these conditions:
     • PFAS were intentionally added for a functional or technical purpose.
     • PFAS are present at or above 100 ppm (measured in total organic fluorine).

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Exceptions: Alternative Pathways to Be Considered Recyclable

Even if a product doesn’t fully meet the above design criteria, it may still qualify as recyclable in California if it meets one of the following conditions:

1. Demonstrated Recycling Rate:
   
   • At least 75% of the product or packaging that is collected and sorted in California is actually reprocessed into new products or packaging.
2. Participation in a Recognized Recycling Program:
   
   • The product or packaging is part of a California-approved program (established on or after January 1, 2022) that governs its recyclability or disposal, as long as:
     • It does not increase contamination in curbside recycling, and
     • It does not mislead consumers about recyclability.
3. Non-Curbside Collection Programs (Before 2030):
   
   • Before January 1, 2030, a product or packaging not collected through curbside recycling may be considered recyclable if:
     • At least 60% of it is recovered through another program (e.g., drop-off or mail-back), and
     • The material has real commercial value, is marketed for recycling, and is sorted and aggregated into defined material streams.

CalRecycle published an update to Table 2 of the SB 343 Final Findings Report on August 8, 2025. Use this link to download the report and check the recyclability of your packaging material.

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What this means for secondary packaging: Folding Cartons and Cut & Stack Labels

Good news :paperboard packaging is widely recyclable in California!

CalRecycle reports that 94% of counties recycle folded paper containers and other paperboard packaging.In addition, our folding cartons and cut and stack labels meet the three key recyclability criteria outlined in SB 343:

1. Designed for recyclability: Our packaging is created with recycling in mind. While it uses inks and adhesives, we follow the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Design Guidance for Recyclability to ensure that these components do not hinder recycling at paper mills.
2. No restricted chemicals: Our packaging does not contain any intentionally added chemicals identified as hazardous or unsafe under California regulations.
3. PFAS-free: Our materials are completely free of PFAS.

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Labeling Mixed Materials

We understand that many of our clients combine our folding cartons or cut-and-stack labels with other forms of primary packaging, such as plastic or glass containers.

Under SB 343, when a product or its packaging includes multiple materials (for example, a plastic container inside a paperboard box):

• You may display the chasing arrows symbol on the recyclable part (like the paperboard box), but
• You must clearly indicate—in the same or larger font size—which parts are not recyclable.

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If you would like to learn more about this topic, we invite you to watch the webinar "unPacked: California Truth in Labeling" hosted by our friends at rePurpose.

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Design for Recyclability with Moquin, start your project today!

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^{References: SB-343 Environmental advertising: recycling symbol: recyclability: products and packaging.(2021-2022)}

^{Disclaimer: The U.S. Packaging landscape is moving fast and rapidly changing. Moquin Press tries to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information, however there may be things covered that will or have changed. This is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted or relied upon as legal advice.}