Atlantic Packaging president and founder of A New Earth Project, Wes Carter, was recently appointed to the Packaging Producer Responsibility Advisory Board, presented by CalRecycle.
The Advisory Board is dedicated to identifying barriers and solutions to creating a circular economy and advising the department, producers, and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) on new laws concerning the environment. In this case, Carter and other board members will be advising PROs on the implementation of CA SB-54: the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act.
CA SB-54 is designed to combat plastic packing, something that Atlantic is well acquainted with. The law states that by 2032, organizations must prove that 100% of their packaging is recyclable or compostable, make a 25% cut in plastic packaging, and ensure that 65% of all single-use plastic packaging is being recycled. It’s a tall order, but one that Carter and the other board members are ready to tackle.
This bill will cut plastic pollution and support disadvantaged communities hurt by the impacts of plastic waste, all while helping to preserve and protect the environment. California is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the largest in the United States. This bill will have a substantial impact on how those companies operate. “I want to present the perspective of an organization that’s deeply embedded in the supply chain and also supporting the largest consumer product companies and retail brands in the world,” Carter says. “I fully expect to get a lot of input from those organizations as well; I welcome it.”
It is a great privilege for Atlantic Packaging’s president to be a part of this advisory board. There’s a lot of work to be done, but Carter is confident in SB-54 and the positive impact it will have on California’s environment and economy.