California’s SB 343 Deadline Is October 4, 2026: Can You Still Put the Recycling Symbol on Your Packaging?
Updated April 2026 — 159 days until compliance required for products manufactured after October 4, 2026.
If you sell food in California with the chasing arrows recycling symbol on your packaging, you need to pay attention. California’s SB 343 — the “Truth in Labeling for Recyclability” law — restricts the use of the chasing arrows and any language implying recyclability unless specific, stringent criteria are met. Products manufactured after October 4, 2026 must comply, and the penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $10,000 per day.
This isn’t a future problem. It’s a packaging redesign deadline that’s less than six months away.
What SB 343 Actually Requires
Under SB 343, you cannot use the chasing arrows symbol, the word “recyclable,” or any other recyclability claim on packaging unless the material is collected by curbside recycling programs serving at least 60% of California’s population, the material is actually sorted and sold for recycling by those programs (not just collected and landfilled), and CalRecycle has not placed the material on an excluded list.
This is dramatically stricter than previous standards. Under the old rules, the chasing arrows simply indicated the resin type (the number 1–7 inside the arrows). Under SB 343, the arrows are a recyclability claim that must be substantiated with evidence of actual recycling — not just theoretical recyclability.
Which Food Packaging Materials Can Still Use the Symbol?
| Material | Likely SB 343 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear PET (#1) | Likely qualifies | Widely collected and recycled |
| HDPE (#2) | Likely qualifies | Strong recycling infrastructure |
| PP (#5) | Uncertain | Collected widely but limited end markets in CA |
| PS (#6) / Styrofoam | Does not qualify | Not accepted by most CA programs |
| Black plastic (any resin) | Does not qualify | Carbon black prevents sorting |
| PLA (compostable) | Does not qualify as “recyclable” | PLA is compostable, not recyclable |
| Corrugated cardboard | Likely qualifies | Highest recycling rate of any material |
| Aluminum | Likely qualifies | High value, widely recycled |
What You Need to Do Before October 4
1. Audit every piece of packaging that carries recycling symbols or claims. Check cups, lids, containers, bags, boxes, labels, and wrapping. Any chasing arrows or “recyclable” text needs to be verified against SB 343 criteria.
2. Remove symbols from non-qualifying materials. If your PP takeout containers or black plastic trays carry chasing arrows, those symbols likely need to be removed from the next print run. Work with your packaging supplier to update artwork before October 4.
3. Replace recyclability claims with accurate alternatives. Instead of “recyclable,” consider “made from recycled materials” (if true and verifiable), “commercially compostable — BPI certified” (for compostable items), or simply removing environmental claims entirely and letting the product speak for itself.
4. Document your compliance. SB 343 places the burden of proof on the producer. Maintain records showing that any recyclability claim is backed by CalRecycle data on actual collection and recycling rates in California.
The Ripple Effect Beyond California
SB 343 has already influenced national labeling programs. The How2Recycle label — used by hundreds of consumer packaged goods brands — shifted multiple materials from “widely recyclable” to “check locally” to align with California’s stricter rules. As California goes, the rest of the US tends to follow. Brands that proactively comply with SB 343 are effectively future-proofing their labeling against similar laws in other states.
In March 2026, 18 organizations filed a lawsuit seeking to block SB 343 implementation, arguing that restricting recyclability labels would confuse consumers and reduce recycling. The outcome of this litigation could affect the October 4 deadline — but betting on a court delay is a risky strategy. Preparing now is the safer approach.
Need help updating your packaging labels? GQ TH Pack can update artwork files to remove non-compliant recyclability symbols and replace them with accurate, defensible environmental claims. Contact us to review your packaging against SB 343 requirements.