Companies race to comply with California’s new plastic reduction law

California has a new law requiring companies to cut back on plastic packaging, not just recycle more of it. Under the rule, producers have until 2032 to reduce single-use plastic packaging and food serviceware by 25 percent, measured by both weight and number of components. Companies must submit their reduction plans to state regulators by August 1.

This is not directly homeowner action, but it will likely show up in everyday products over the next several years, including things bought for the house: cleaning supplies, personal care items, food packaging, and takeout containers. Companies are expected to meet the target through a mix of approaches: shifting to reusable or refillable containers, dropping unnecessary packaging altogether, shrinking or concentrating packaging (similar to compact laundry detergent tiles instead of bulky jugs), adding recycled content, or switching to paper or other non-plastic materials. Some of this is already visible, like Costco removing individual labels from water bottles or Babybel switching to paper wrappers.

Because California is such a large market, packaging changes made to comply with this law often spread to products sold nationwide, not just in California. So homeowners elsewhere may start noticing similar shifts in packaging on everyday household goods, even without a state law requiring it where they live. There is no specific step for homeowners to take here; it is a shift happening on the manufacturing and retail side that will gradually change what packaging looks like on store shelves.