California to implement nation’s first recycled content rules for plastic bottles

California is making strides in reducing plastic pollution with the nation’s first legislation on recycled content standards in plastic bottles. Effective Jan. 1, all plastic California Refund Value drink containers in the state must be made with at least 15 percent recycled materials.

Ultimately, California’s goal is to require all plastic bottles to be made of 50 percent recycled materials by 2030, which would surpass the European Union’s 30 percent mandate as the highest percentage requirement in the world.