Committee advances bill to strengthen appliance recycling oversight and reporting

SB 1010, described by the sponsor as the Appliance Recycling Accountability Act, seeks to strengthen California’s certified appliance recycler (CAR) program by improving reporting, raising inspection and certification standards, and providing transparency and enforcement tools for regulators.

Senator Ashby noted refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners contain refrigerants and other hazardous materials and said the state needs better tracking and enforcement. Doug Cobalt, executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council, told the committee there are roughly 1.5 to 2 million refrigerators sold in California annually and only 138 certified appliance recyclers registered with DTSC, arguing that better data and funding are needed to ensure hazardous materials are properly removed and managed.

Opposition and industry groups such as the Recycled Materials Association raised concerns about potential fee burdens, site-visit costs, and the practicality of verifying degassing for appliances that arrive crushed or baled. The sponsor said the bill has moved from an extended producer-responsibility approach to one focused on enforcement and supporting DTSC implementation, including funding for inspections.

The committee recorded roll calls and advanced the bill to Appropriations or placed it on call pending absent-member votes, asking parties to continue technical conversations to address cost and operational concerns.

Next steps: SB 1010 will proceed to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review with ongoing stakeholder negotiations on fees, site visits and certification procedures.