Industry Coalition Sues Over California Truth in Recycling Law

On March 18, 2026, a coalition of farming, forestry, restaurant and packaging trade groups filed suit challenging California's Truth in Recycling law, saying the statute infringes their free-speech rights. The complaint, lodged Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, names several industry organizations including the Dairy Institute of California, the Flexible Packaging Association and the Western Growers Association and targets rules governing the use of the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol.

The plaintiffs contend Senate Bill 343 — signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021 and enforceable beginning in 2025 — prohibits labeling that indicates materials are recyclable unless they meet state-defined recycling thresholds. They are asking the court for a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement. In a statement, Katie Davey of the Dairy Institute said the law prevents manufacturers from giving recycling guidance consumers rely on. California waste agency CalRecycle reported in January that most single-use plastics in the state are recycled at rates below 10%, citing figures such as 2% for certain polypropylene tubs and 5% for colored polyethylene bottles.

Environmental advocates, represented in public comments by figures such as Nick Lapis of Californians Against Waste, argue the state can require truthful environmental claims. Supporters of the law, including author Sen. Ben Allen, say real-world recycling rates justify limiting misleading labels. The lawsuit sets the stage for a federal review of how California balances consumer information, environmental protection and commercial speech.