CA SB45

Requires plastic beverage containers subject to California's Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act to have tethered caps that remain attached when removed by consumers, effective January 1, 2027

Delays compliance until January 1, 2028 for beverage container types with recycling rates above 70% in calendar years 2022 and 2023

Exempts containers of 2 liters or more, beer and malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits, 100% fruit juice, refillable plastic containers, and manufacturers selling 16 million or fewer plastic containers annually in California

Deletes existing authorization for the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to pay quality incentive payments of up to $180 per ton for thermoform plastic containers diverted from curbside recycling

Addresses findings that plastic caps are among the top five items in California beach litter surveys and pose significant threats to marine wildlife, aligning California with European Union tethered cap requirements implemented in 2024