Plastic packaging containers: compostable.

Existing law requires rigid plastic packaging containers, as defined, that are sold or offered for sale in this state to meet specified criteria, including, but not limited to, that the container be made from 25% postconsumer material, and provides for the enforcement of these requirements by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Certain classes of rigid plastic packaging containers are exempt from those requirements. Existing law, as of January 1, 2013, prohibits the sale of a plastic product, as defined, labeled as "compostable," "home compostable," or "marine degradable" unless it meets certain ASTM standard specifications, or other certain requirements. This bill would define the term "compostable rigid plastic packaging container" as a rigid plastic packaging container that is labeled with the term "compostable" and is in compliance with those labeling requirements. The bill would additionally exempt compostable rigid plastic packaging from those material requirements.