“Rigid plastic container” means any formed or molded article comprised predominantly of plastic resin and having a relatively inflexible finite shape or form intended primarily as a single service container with a capacity of eight ounces or more and less than five gallons.
Plastic WasteContainers and Packaging
Section § 18010
This law defines what a "rigid plastic container" is. It refers to any solidly shaped item made mostly of plastic, designed mainly to be used once. It should hold at least eight ounces but less than five gallons.
rigid plastic container plastic resin single service container
Section § 18011
This section defines a "rigid plastic bottle" as a type of plastic container. The bottle must have a smaller neck than its body and be able to hold between 16 ounces and just under five gallons of liquid.
“Rigid plastic bottle” means any rigid plastic container with a neck that is smaller than the container body with a capacity of 16 ounces or more and less than five gallons.
rigid plastic bottle plastic container smaller neck
Section § 18012
This law section defines the term "label" as a specific type of code label that is created according to Section 18015 and found molded into the bottom of a plastic product.
“Label” means a code label described in Section 18015 molded into the bottom of the plastic product.
code label plastic product molded label
Section § 18013
This law defines 'polyethylene terephthalate' as a type of plastic that results from a chemical reaction between certain acids and glycol. To qualify, at least 90% of the material must be made up of these reacted substances. It must also melt at a temperature between 225 and 255 degrees Celsius, as determined through a standardized test method. The regulation has been in effect since October 1, 2018.
“Polyethylene terephthalate” means a plastic derived from a reaction between terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate and monoethylene glycol as to which both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 18013(a) The terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate and monoethylene glycol reacted constitutes at least 90 percent of the mass of the monomer reacted to form the polymer.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 18013(b) The plastic exhibits a melting peak temperature that is between 225 degrees Celsius and 255 degrees Celsius, as determined during the second thermal scan using procedure 10.1 as set forth in ASTM International (ASTM) D3418 with a heating rate of a
sample at 10 degrees Celsius per minute.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 18013(c) This section becomes operative on October 1, 2018.
polyethylene terephthalate plastic terephthalic acid
Section § 18015
This California law requires all rigid plastic bottles and containers sold in the state to have a label indicating what type of plastic resin they are made from. This is done using a specific code—a number inside a triangle with letters below it, such as '1' for PETE or '2' for HDPE. If a bottle or container has multiple layers, a ‘7’ must be used.
The state's Recycling Division keeps a list of these resin codes and provides them upon request. The resin code can't be placed inside the recycling symbol’s arrows unless the bottle or container meets the state's recyclability standards.
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 18015(a) All rigid plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers sold in the state shall be labeled with a code that indicates the resin used to produce the rigid plastic bottle or rigid plastic container. Rigid plastic bottles or rigid plastic containers with labels and basecups of a different material shall be coded by their basic material. The code shall consist of a number placed inside a triangle, and letters placed below the triangle. The numbers and letters used shall be as follows:
1 = PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
2 = HDPE (high density polyethylene)
3 = V (vinyl)
4 = LDPE (low density polyethylene)
5 = PP
(polypropylene)
6 = PS (polystyrene)
7 = OTHER (includes multilayer)
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 18015(b) A “7” shall appear below the resin abbreviation when the bottle or container is composed of more than one layer of that resin.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 18015(c) The Division of Recycling in the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery shall maintain a list of abbreviations used on labels pursuant to subdivision (a) and shall provide a copy of that list to a person upon request.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 18015(d) The resin identification code required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not be placed inside a chasing arrows symbol, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 17580 of the Business and Professions Code, unless the rigid plastic bottle or rigid plastic container meets the statewide recyclability criteria
provided in subdivision (d) of Section 42355.51.
rigid plastic bottles plastic containers labeling resin identification code
Section § 18016
Starting January 1, 1992, it's illegal to make any hard plastic containers in this state without proper labeling as specified in another section of the law. Breaking this rule can lead to a $1,000 fine.
On and after January 1, 1992, it is unlawful to manufacture for use in this state any rigid plastic container which is not labeled in accordance with Section 18015. A violation of this section is a crime punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
rigid plastic container labeling requirement unlawful manufacturing
Section § 18017
This law states that the rules for certain plastic containers do not cover those used for medical devices, sterile medical products, prescription medicines, or their packaging.
This division does not apply to rigid plastic containers or rigid plastic bottles that are medical devices, medical products that are required to be sterile, prescription medicine, and packaging used for those products.
rigid plastic containers rigid plastic bottles medical devices
