CA SB 54 Needs Assessment (Collection Survey)

HF&H Consultants, LLC (HF&H), on behalf of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), requests your participation in a survey related to the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Senate Bill 54, Allen, Chapter 75, Statutes of 2022) (the Act). The Act established a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to manage single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware (covered material) in California.

What is this survey and why participate?

HF&H developed this survey to research the current and needed state of California’s recycling and composting system for covered materials, specifically regarding collection systems, including topics such as acceptance, contamination, and environmental and public health impacts.

Your responses are valued and critical because:

Responses will directly inform understanding of current system functioning, gaps, challenges, opportunities for growth, and needed improvements.
Producers of covered material, largely through the operation of a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), will implement plans and budgets designed to meet the law’s requirements, including through the disbursement of funds to recycling system providers. Your responses will inform the PRO’s plan and budget.
Limited information exists about the collection system that is specific to covered material.

How do I participate?

Please complete one survey for EACH Jurisdiction that you represent that collects single-use packaging or single-use plastic food service ware.

Please use your most recently available data. HF&H acknowledges that Jurisdictions are required to report information to CalRecycle via the Electronic Annual Report (EAR). Some questions in this survey may ask for similar data to the EAR; however, these questions intend to capture additional detail and place a more specific focus on SB 54. Furthermore, the EAR is a tool used to document compliance with specific state-wide regulations. This survey is intended to document implementation gaps for SB 54, a regulation not considered in the data required for the EAR. Data collected through this survey will be aggregated and individual jurisdiction responses will not be shared directly with CalRecycle or any other regulatory agency. Data will not be used to assess compliance with SB 1383, AB 939, AB 1826, or any other regulations for which the EAR requires reporting.

The following Glossary of Terms has been developed to clarify terminology used in the survey. Defined terms have been capitalized throughout the survey.

HF&H staff are available to answer questions at eprneedsassessment@hfh-consultants.com. The survey can be completed in multiple sessions (i.e., your progress will be saved).

Please complete the survey by Thursday, July 3, 2025. We do understand this is a tight timeline and appreciate your effort in this manner. Participation is voluntary.

Please email eprneedsassessment@hfh-consultants.com if you would like to put in place a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before completing the survey.

Questions?

If you have any questions related to this survey or the work being conducted by HF&H, then please email eprneedsassessment@hfh-consultants.com. If you have questions related to the broader implementation of the Act or the needs assessment, then please email CalRecycle at packaging@calrecycle.ca.gov.

1. Name of Jurisdiction:*

2. Name of Person filling out survey:

First NameLast Name

3. Title of Person filling out survey:

4. Email address:*

example@example.com

5. Phone number:

Please enter a valid phone number.

6. Please complete and upload the following Excel file regarding collection operations details.*

Download the Excel File

7. How are different sectors routed (e.g., commingling sectors vs. separate routing)?

8. Please upload tonnage reports, preferably broken down by sector and material stream (calendar years 2022, 2023, 2024).

9. Please upload your most recent Vehicle List. See Glossary (download link located in the survey introduction) for a description of what should be included in a Vehicle List.

10. Please fill in the number of collection routes by material type for carts.

	# of routes	# of containers (total, all routes)
Landfill Stream/Mixed Waste
Recyclable Materials
Organic Materials
Other

11. Explain the "Other" item indicated above:

12. Please fill in the number of collection routes by material type for bins.

	# of routes	# of containers (total, all routes)
Landfill Stream/Mixed Waste Stream
Recyclable Materials
Organic Materials
Other

13. Explain the "Other" item indicated above:

Questions in this section of the survey pertain to the design of your Jurisdiction’s solid waste and recycling programs. For some Jurisdictions, your Recycling Service Provider may have easier access to or the most up to date data requested. We encourage Jurisdictions to share these questions with their Recycling Service Providers as needed to assist in providing accurate responses.

Data/information that may be necessary or helpful for completing this section of the survey include:

Quarterly or annual Recycling Service Provider reports
Customer subscription data
Rate Sheets
Program brochure / accepted materials list
Program budget
Description/status of education and outreach programs
Description/status of contamination monitoring programs

14. Please upload the current Rate Sheet for your Jurisdiction, as of June 30, 2025:

15. Please insert the number of collection Customers by Customer type.

Residential:

15a. Single-Family:*

15b. Multi-Family (2-4 units):*

Commercial:

(If your Jurisdiction separately tracks Commercial vs. industrial sectors, combine industrial with Commercial businesses below)

15c. Commercial Businesses:*

15d. Multi-Family (5+ units):*

16. Please briefly describe if there are specific populations within your Jurisdiction that do not receive collection service and the specific local conditions, circumstances, or challenges with providing service to such populations.

17. Please specify collection container colors for the following items:*

	Black/gray	Blue	Green	Brown	Other/notes
Glass
Ceramic
Aluminum
Tin/Steel/Bimetal
Other Nonferrous
Other Ferrous
Other Metal (Small, Measuring 2” or Less)
Mixed Paper
Aseptic Containers
Gable Top Cartons
Paperboard
Waxed OCC
OCC
Plastic #1 PET Rigid
Plastic #2 HDPE Rigid
Plastic #3 PVC Rigid
Plastic #4 LDPE Rigid
Plastic #5 PP Rigid
Plastic #6 PS Rigid
Plastic #7 Other Rigid Designed for Compostability
Other Mixed Plastics
Other Multi-Material Laminate
Plastic #6 Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid
Plastic #6 Other Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid (Any Resin Type)
Flexible and Film Plastic
Flexible and Film Plastic Designed for Compostability
Plastic Pouches and Envelopes
Wood – Untreated
Wood – Treated
Textiles
Other Mixed Organic

18. Are the material types and collection container colors the same for Commercial and Residential?

YesNo, container colors and/or material types differ for Commercial

18a. Please specify collection container colors for the following items:

	Black/gray	Blue	Green	Brown	Other/notes
Glass
Ceramic
Aluminum
Tin/Steel/Bimetal
Other Nonferrous
Other Ferrous
Other Metal (Small, Measuring 2” or Less)
Mixed Paper
Aseptic Containers
Gable Top Cartons
Paperboard
Waxed OCC
OCC
Plastic #1 PET Rigid
Plastic #2 HDPE Rigid
Plastic #3 PVC Rigid
Plastic #4 LDPE Rigid
Plastic #5 PP Rigid
Plastic #6 PS Rigid
Plastic #7 Other Rigid Designed for Compostability
Other Mixed Plastics
Other Multi-Material Laminate
Plastic #6 Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid
Plastic #6 Other Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid (Any Resin Type)
Flexible and Film Plastic
Flexible and Film Plastic Designed for Compostability
Plastic Pouches and Envelopes
Wood – Untreated
Wood – Treated
Textiles
Other Mixed Organic

19. Please upload your most current Customer subscription/service data (Residential and Commercial). Please include, at a minimum: Customer ID, container size/type, material collected, number of containers, and frequency of collection. Please provide the date the data was generated in the file name. [e.g., file name: Jurisdiction Name_MonthYear]

OR

20. Please fill in the number of containers by size and container stream.

	Black/gray	Blue	Green	Brown	Other
15-25 gal carts
30-36 gal carts
60-65 gal carts
90-100 gal carts
1 CY
1.5 CY
2 CY
3 CY
4 CY
6 CY
8 CY
10 CY
12 CY
15 CY
20 CY
25 CY
30 CY
40 CY

21. Who is the Recycling Service Provider(s) for your Jurisdiction, if applicable, and what is the contracting/hauling arrangement?

21a. Residential*

21b. Commercial*

21c. Industrial (if applicable):

22. Is Self-Hauling and/or Back Hauling of materials allowed in your Jurisdiction?*

Yes, Self-HaulingYes, Back-HaulingYes, both Self-Hauling and Back-HaulingNo

22a. If yes, what generator type(s) is allowed to Self-Haul or Back Haul? Select all that apply.

Single-FamilyMulti-FamilyCommercial

23. Does your Jurisdiction have publicly available drop-off locations to recycle non-CRV Materials?*

YesNo

23a. Please complete the following for each drop off location. *

	Drop-off Location 1	Drop-off Location 2	Drop-off Location 3	Drop-off Location 4	Drop-off Location 5
Address
Allowable Users (e.g., Residents/Commercial businesses)
Permitted Tonnage or Material Limit
Specify if Localized or Shared Amongst Jurisdictions

23b. Select the material types accepted by the drop-off locations listed above.*

	Drop-off Location 1	Drop-off Location 2	Drop-off Location 3	Drop-off Location 4	Drop-off Location 5
Glass
Ceramic
Aluminum
Tin/Steel/Bimetal
Other Nonferrous
Other Ferrous
Other Metal (Small, Measuring 2” or Less)
Mixed Paper
Aseptic Containers
Gable Top Cartons
Paperboard
Waxed OCC
OCC
Plastic #1 PET Rigid
Plastic #2 HDPE Rigid
Plastic #3 PVC Rigid
Plastic #4 LDPE Rigid
Plastic #5 PP Rigid
Plastic #6 PS Rigid
Plastic #7 Other Rigid Designed for Compostability
Other Mixed Plastics
Other Multi-Material Laminate
Plastic #6 Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid
Plastic #6 Other Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid (Any Resin Type)
Flexible and Film Plastic
Flexible and Film Plastic Designed for Compostability
Plastic Pouches and Envelopes
Wood – Untreated
Wood – Treated
Textiles
Other Mixed Organic

24. Are you aware of Alternative Collection programs for recyclable materials operating in your Jurisdiction?*

YesNo

24a. If yes, please complete the following information for each Alternative Collection program.*

	Program 1	Program 2	Program 3	Program 4	Program 5	Program 6
Program Type (e.g., mail-back, home pickup)
Name of Company Providing Service
Allowable Users (e.g. Residential or Commercial)

24b. Select the material types accepted by the Alternative Collection programs listed above.*

	Program 1	Program 2	Program 3	Program 4	Program 5	Program 6
Glass
Ceramic
Aluminum
Tin/Steel/Bimetal
Other Nonferrous
Other Ferrous
Other Metal (Small, Measuring 2” or Less)
Mixed Paper
Aseptic Containers
Gable Top Cartons
Paperboard
Waxed OCC
OCC
Plastic #1 PET Rigid
Plastic #2 HDPE Rigid
Plastic #3 PVC Rigid
Plastic #4 LDPE Rigid
Plastic #5 PP Rigid
Plastic #6 PS Rigid
Plastic #7 Other Rigid Designed for Compostability
Other Mixed Plastics
Other Multi-Material Laminate
Plastic #6 Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid
Plastic #6 Other Expanded or Foamed Plastic Rigid (Any Resin Type)
Flexible and Film Plastic
Flexible and Film Plastic Designed for Compostability
Plastic Pouches and Envelopes
Wood – Untreated
Wood – Treated
Textiles
Other Mixed Organic

25. If your Jurisdiction or region maintains a map/database of drop off facilities for non-CRV Material(s), please upload a copy:

OR

26. Provide a link to such map/database:

27. How significant are each of the following barriers or challenges to individuals/communities for participating in Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials programs in your Jurisdiction?*

	1 (not at all)	2	3	4	5	6	7 (extremely)
High cost of service
Lack of awareness of available programs
Confusion on how to sort materials and need for education
Lack of importance and priority
Lack of trust in the Recycling system
Lack of access to containers or access is inconvenient
Information not available in spoken languages
Difficulty requesting service or information from the Jurisdiction or Recycling Service Provider
Difficulty coordinating with property managers, landlords, etc. for service changes or educational information
Other

28. Explain the "Other" item indicated above:

29. What strategies does your Jurisdiction implement to overcome the main participation and access barriers identified above? Please describe.

30. What are the biggest barriers and challenges for administering your Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials programs as a Jurisdiction? Select the top three (3) barriers/challenges.*

FundingStaff capacityProcuring a Franchise Service agreement or other contract arrangement with Recycling Service ProvidersOversight of Recycling Service Providers and Franchise Service agreements/Permitted Service processesLack of public engagementChallenges in educating ratepayersContaminationLack of political supportOther

31. Please indicate which public education and outreach materials are provided in which language(s).

31a. Direct Mailers:

31b. Physical Public Ads (Bus shelters, billboards, etc.):

31c. Digital/Online Ads:

31d. Social Media Posts:

31e. Website:

31f. Radio/Television:

31g. Emails:

32. Do you provide in-Person Technical Assistance? If so, please indicate which sectors you provide Technical Assistance to.

33. What languages are your Technical Assistance staff or contractors fluent in?

34. How many full-time equivalent (FTE) Technical Assistance staff do you have (including contractors)?

If one staff member spends 25% of their time on contamination reduction initiatives, please include that as .25 FTE

35. How much does your Jurisdiction spend annually on public education and outreach related to Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials programs?

36. How much does your Recycling Service Provider spend annually on public education and outreach related to Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials programs in your Jurisdiction?

37. Are there materials you believe should not be accepted in your recycling program?

YesNo

37a. If yes, what types of materials and why?

38. Which of the following strategies do you currently employ to increase the capture of Recyclable Materials and Compostable Materials in your collection programs?*

39. Which of the following strategies do you believe are most effective for increasing the capture of Recyclable Materials and Compostable Materials in your collection programs? Select up to three (3).

40. What are the top three contaminants in your Residential Recyclable Materials program? Select up to three (3).

41. What are the top three contaminants in your Residential Organic Materials program? Select up to three (3).

42. What are the top three contaminants in your Commercial Recyclable Materials program? Select up to three (3).

43. What are the top three contaminants in your Commercial Organic Materials program? Select up to three (3).

44. Which forms of contamination monitoring do you conduct?*

45. Which contamination reduction initiatives do you utilize?*

46. How effective have you found each of the following strategies for curbing contamination?

	1 (Least)	2	3	4	5	6	7 (Most)	N/A
Public education and outreach
Technical assistance audits
Contamination tags
Contamination fees
Route monitoring
Waste characterizations
Truck-mounted cameras
Bin-mounted cameras
Other

47. Explain the "Other" item indicated above:

48. Please explain why the methods listed above have been most effective at curbing contamination.

49. Total number of contamination notices sent in 2024:

50. In 2024, how many instances of non-collection occurred due to contamination (Landfill Stream in the Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials container, Recyclables Materials in the Organic Materials container, etc.)?

51. Indicate the amounts charged for container contamination fees, if applicable.

51a. Residential:

Dollars / Item

51b. Commercial:

Dollars / Item

51c. Other:

52. In instances of container contamination, indicate what actions occur. Check all that apply. If a notice is issued first and a fee assessed on a subsequent incident of contamination, please select both the notice and fee option.

Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials containers regularly serviced the same day and a contamination notice is sent to the Customer after the factRecyclable Materials/Organic Materials containers regularly serviced the same day and a contamination fee is sent to the Customer after the factRecyclable Materials/Organic Materials containers serviced as Landfill Stream the same day and a contamination notice is assessed on the Customer after the factRecyclable Materials/Organic Materials containers serviced as Landfill Stream the same day and a contamination fee is assessed on the Customer after the factNot collected until action taken from Customer (e.g., contamination removed, Customer agrees to fee)Other

53. Please insert the number of loads from your Jurisdiction that were rejected at facilities over the past three years for contamination.

	2022	2023	2024
Recyclable Materials
Organic Materials

54. Have you, or your Recycling Service Provider, ever conducted a waste characterization or audit?*

YesNo

54a. If yes, please describe the results:

OR

54b. Upload data or a final report:

55. What issues arise as a result of contamination in your Jurisdiction?*

Increased monitoring/ enforcement costsReduced revenue from Recyclable Materials salesHigher cost for ratepayers due to contamination feesMissed collectionsMore loads disposed rather than RecycledOther

56. How many full time equivalent staff (FTEs) (including contractors) do you have for contamination reduction initiatives? (monitoring contamination, enforcing rules, conducting education and outreach on contamination, etc.)

If one staff member spends 25% of their time on contamination reduction initiatives, please include that as .25 FTE

57. What is your annual operational cost to conduct contamination reduction activities?

Please include costs to conduct route review or audits, printing costs for contamination tags/notices, and any other expenses incurred directly related to contamination reduction (please include costs incurred by your Recycling Service Provider if they conduct contamination reduction activities for your Jurisdiction)

58. If your resources were unlimited, what would you implement to make your contamination monitoring program more effective?*

Increased contamination monitoring staffMore frequent waste characterizationsMore robust education campaignsIncreased use of auditing technologyIncreased use of bin or truck mounted camerasOther

59. What would you say are the top three factors that contribute to contamination? Select up to three (3).*

Incorrect service levels (e.g., not enough room in one container leading to material being placed in the wrong container)Confusion over how to sortLack of faith in the Recycling systemsRecycling is not a priority for generatorsPerceived feelings of lack of cleanliness or “gross” factor (e.g., leading people to not want to participate in Organic Materials programs)Materials being sold by businesses are not aligning with local system ordinances (e.g., food service ware)Lack or educational resourcesInsufficient access to proper containers (e.g. containers are in a locked enclosure or property has missing containers)Other

60. Have you participated in meetings or discussions with Recycling Service Providers regarding community impacts of their services?

YesNoOther

60a. If yes, please provide further details on if you felt the meeting was successful and why (e.g., was the engagement meaningful, were your needs met?)

61. Have you participated in meetings or discussions with the public regarding environmental and public health impacts of collection services?

YesNoOther

61a. If yes, provide further details on the results of those discussions.

62. What do you see as the most important concerns for constituents in your Jurisdiction? 1 = highest priority and 5 = lowest priority. Please select each value only once.

	Public health	Environmental protection	Neighborhood safety and community impacts	Worker safety
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5

63. Explain any other important concerns for constituents in your Jurisdiction:

64. What do you see as the most significant negative public health impacts from collection of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials?

Asthma and other respiratory health impactsHeart (cardiovascular) impactsCancer risk impactsOther

65. What do you see as the most significant positive public health benefits from collection of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials?

Recycling helps reduce materials sent to landfills, which emit air pollutants that can negatively impact healthProper sorting and collection of compostable materials can reduce contamination in composting facilities, improving soil health and food safetyOther

66. What do you see as the most significant negative environmental impacts from collection of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials?

Greenhouse gas emissions from collection vehiclesLitter caused by materials falling out of containers and trucksPolluted waterwaysParticulate pollution (e.g., dust kicked up from collection activities)Other

67. What do you see as the most positive environmental benefits from collection of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials?

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by diverting Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials from landfills helps address climate changeProperly composting Organic Materials produces nutrient-rich compost, which enhances soil quality and improves water retention.Recycling materials consumes less energy and resources than producing new materials, leading to lower carbon footprint and protection of natural resources.Collecting and recycling plastic waste helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean and environment as litterRecycling helps raise awareness about environmental conservation – fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in communitiesOther

68. What do you see as the most significant negative neighborhood safety/community impacts from collection of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials?

69. What do you see as the most positive community impacts of Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials collection?

Recyclable Materials and Organic Materials programs create green jobs that can provide employment in local communitiesCollection of materials can reduce the amount of materials that end up as litter, which helps support cleaner communitiesOther

70. What strategies would you find most effective to reduce the potential negative impacts if collection of Recyclable Materials and/or Organic Materials were to be expanded in your community? (Select all that apply.)

Use of electric vehicles to reduce emissionsMore efficient collection routes to minimize trafficIncreased public education on how to use Recyclable Materials/Organic Materials programs to benefit public health, communities, and the environmentSpecific operating hours to avoid traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safetyIncreased buffers between roads and housing/businesses (e.g. greenways, more trees)Improved bike lanes and sidewalksOther

71. Do you have any other comments you would like to include?

CA SB 54 Needs Assessment

What is this survey and why participate?

How do I participate?

Questions?

GENERAL

Collection Operations Questions

Carts

Bins

Program Questions

ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION

Residential:

Commercial:

Residential Stream

Commercial Stream

Service Information

ACCEPTANCE OF MATERIALS

CONTAMINATION

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS

CONSTITUENT CONCERNS

Public Health

Environmental

Safety/Community

OTHER