Senator Padilla's proposal to mandate tethered caps on plastic beverage containers in California aims to address the persistent environmental challenges posed by detached bottle caps, which appear disproportionately in beach litter surveys and pose risks to marine wildlife. The legislation would require all plastic beverage containers under three liters sold in California to feature caps that remain attached to the container when opened, starting January 1, 2027.

The measure includes targeted exemptions to allow for gradual implementation. Beverage containers that achieved recycling rates above 70% during 2022 and 2023 would have until January 1, 2028, to comply with the tethered cap requirement. Containers with capacities of three liters or more would be permanently exempt from the requirement. The bill also removes the current authorization for quality incentive payments to recyclers for thermoform plastic containers from curbside programs.

Several major beverage producers, including Crystal Geyser, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo, have already begun incorporating tethered caps into their California product lines. This transition aligns with similar requirements implemented by the European Union, where consumer surveys indicate public preference for attached caps based on convenience and environmental considerations. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery would oversee implementation and enforcement of the new requirements, with violations classified as crimes under the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act.