California Confirms Food and Beverage Cartons Meet SB 343 Recyclability Standards
California: The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has updated its Senate Bill 343 (SB 343) Final Findings Report, confirming that food and beverage cartons meet the state’s recyclability requirements and can continue to carry recyclable labeling.
The update, released on June 24, 2026, shows that cartons are now sorted for recycling by large-volume transfer and processing facilities serving 62% of California counties. This surpasses the statewide threshold established under SB 343 for packaging materials to qualify for recyclable claims and labeling.
According to CalRecycle, the revised findings are based on newly verified carton sortation activities at three material recovery facilities (MRFs): Western Placer Waste Management Authority MRF in Roseville, Pacific Recycling Solutions MRF in Ukiah, and Cold Canyon Landfill MRF in San Luis Obispo.
Together with facilities previously recognized by the agency, these MRFs sort cartons into PSI Grade 52 bales and provide recycling services across 21 California counties. The updated assessment reflects the growing capacity of the state’s recycling infrastructure to collect, sort, and market used food and beverage cartons.
Jordan Fengel, President of the Carton Council, welcomed the decision, stating that the update recognizes the continued expansion of carton recycling capabilities throughout California. He noted that maintaining recyclable labeling on cartons will help guide consumers toward proper disposal practices while supporting both established and emerging recycling markets.
The Carton Council also credited the achievement to ongoing collaboration among recycling facilities, local communities, carton manufacturers, and end-market partners. Investments in carton sorting technology and broader acceptance of cartons in community recycling programs have contributed to the milestone.
Under California’s SB 343 legislation, the use of the chasing-arrows recycling symbol and other recyclability claims is restricted to packaging that meets specific collection and sortation criteria. CalRecycle’s findings provide the data used to determine compliance with these requirements.
Looking ahead, the Carton Council said it will continue working with municipalities, material recovery facilities, and recycling end markets to further improve carton recovery rates and ensure valuable packaging materials are returned to productive use through the recycling stream.
