AB 1812: Solid waste: compostable products.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law prohibits a person from selling or offering for sale a product, as defined, that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” unless, among others, the product meets a specified ASTM standard specification, has OK compost HOME certification, and meets a standard adopted by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Existing law requires the department to review revisions to the ASTM standard specification, as provided. Existing law authorizes the department to adopt a standard different from an ASTM standard if adopted or developed by a standard-setting organization recognized by the department, the standard adds qualifications to an ASTM standard specification, and the standard is more stringent than an ASTM standard specification, as provided. Existing law exempts a fiber product that is demonstrated to not incorporate any plastics or polymers from complying with any of these ASTM standards.

This bill would instead prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale a product that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” unless the product has OK compost HOME certification or meets a standard adopted by the department. The bill would repeal the requirement for the department to review revisions to the ASTM standard specification. The bill would instead authorize the department to adopt an existing standard different from an ASTM standard specification if the standard is adopted or developed by a standard-setting organization recognized by the department. This bill would exempt a fiber product that is demonstrated to not incorporate any plastics or polymers from requirements for labeling compostable products, as specified, unless the department adopts a standard for compostable fiber products.

This bill, on and after June 30, 2027, would prohibit a person from selling or offering for sale a product in this state that is labeled with the term “compostable” or “home compostable” that is made wholly or partially of plastic, as defined.

This bill would exempt from prohibition a food service establishment’s use of plastic single-use food service ware that is accepted by a recycling collector that services the jurisdiction in which the food service establishment operates, as specified. The bill would provide that this exemption does not preempt a local requirement for food service establishments to use compostable or reusable service ware or otherwise limit the authority of a local government to regulate service ware outside of the exemption, as specified.

Existing law requires a compostable bag that meets an ASTM standard specification described above to comply with certain labeling requirements.

This bill would repeal those labeling requirements.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. July 2, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 2, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 1).
5. June 3, 2026Referred to Com. on E.Q.
6. May 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
7. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 1. Page 5299.)
8. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (May 14).
10. May 14, 2026Coauthors revised.
11. April 29, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
12. April 14, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.