State Sen. Ben Allen criticized a congressional effort to undermine California's truth-in-labeling law for recyclable products, calling the federal legislation a move that would increase costs and pollution.
Allen, a Santa Monica Democrat who authored Senate Bill 343 in 2021, said plastic manufacturers have misled consumers for decades about product recyclability. California's law prohibits companies from labeling products as recyclable unless they can actually be recycled.
"The truth matters," Allen said in a statement. "A product is not 'recyclable,' and should not be advertised as such, if it cannot be recycled."
Allen said misleading labels have increased waste service costs because facilities must sort materials that cannot actually be recycled. Those costs are passed to ratepayers, he said, which is why California's law passed with bipartisan support.
The senator criticized the federal "Packaging and Claims Misinformation Act" and Rep. Randy Weber, who has described himself as pro-states' rights. Allen said Weber's corporate donors have similarly misled the public about environmental harm from their products.
"Rolling back our protections would lead to increased residential waste rates and more pollution," Allen said. "Product labels must be rooted in reality, not wishful thinking."
California's law aims to build consumer trust and hold corporations accountable for advertising claims. Allen said people want to properly use recycling bins but confusion from false labels has made waste management more expensive.
Edited by SMDP Staff