On July 14, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of California’s SB 343, also known as the “Truth in Recycling Act.” Enacted in 2021, the law directs the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to create and implement standards that determine which products may be labeled as recyclable. The standard outlined in the law restricts recyclability claims, including the use of the chasing arrows symbol, unless a product meets strict California-specific recycling, sorting, and design criteria.  

A coalition of industry trade associations challenged SB 343 in court, alleging that the law restricts commercial speech in violation of the First Amendment and that key provisions of SB 343 are unconstitutionally vague under the Fourteenth Amendment. As litigation continues, the preliminary injunction pauses enforcement of SB 343, which is slated to begin on October 4, 2026. It is not a final ruling on the constitutionality of SB 343.  

The ruling creates uncertainty around California’s paper and packaging EPR program established under CA SB 54. SB 343’s recyclability standards inform whether packaging materials are considered recyclable under SB 54, which, among other requirements, specifies recycling rate requirements for plastic packaging. As ISPA has reported in the past, SB 54 is also the subject of separate litigation. ISPA will keep its members up to date on any significant developments relating to these lawsuits.