CalRecycle Raises Carton Sortation Coverage to 62%, and That Does Not Make Cartons Recyclable in California

In a June 24, 2026 update letter issued under PRC 42355.51(d)(1)(B)(iii), CalRecycle identified three additional large volume transfer/processing facilities that sort non-CRV gable-top and aseptic cartons into PSI Grade 52 bales: Western Placer Waste Management Authority MRF (SWIS 31-AA-0001), Pacific Recycling Solutions MRF (SWIS 23-AA-0048) and Cold Canyon Landfill Inc. MRF (SWIS 40-AA-0004). Table 2 of the SB 343 Final Findings Report moved from 18 counties served, 53%, to 21 counties, 62%, for both X02 (Gable-top Cartons, Non-CRV) and X03 (Aseptic Containers, Non-CRV). A follow-up letter on July 23, 2026 restated the same three facilities and the same 62% against the covered material category codes (25_PF15P aseptic, 25_PF5P gable-top) rather than the material type and form codes, so it is a re-expression of the June 24 update and not a second determination. Note also that this is the third carton update to Table 2, not the first: CalRecycle published earlier ones on August 8, 2025 and December 22, 2025, and says it does not anticipate republishing the complete report until the 2027 update. Several trade outlets have reported this as California recognizing carton recyclability. Read against the statute, it is not that. Table 2's percentage is a share of surveyed counties: Attachment 1 states the surveyed facilities serve 34 of California's 58 counties, so 21 of 34 is the 62%, while 21 of all 58 counties is 36%. The SB 343 sortation test in PRC 42355.51(d)(2)(B)(i) is written against facilities collectively serving at least 60% of statewide recycling programs, which is a different denominator from counties, and the same provision separately requires reclamation consistent with the Basel Convention, which CalRecycle's SB 343 FAQ states it was not directed to investigate. That FAQ also states SB 343 does not authorize CalRecycle to make product-by-product labeling determinations. What this means for a producer: cartons remain not deemed recyclable on the January 2026 CMC list (25_PF15P aseptic, 25_PF5P gable-top, recycling rate under 1%), and nothing about a recyclable claim or an eco-modulation position changes today. The signal is real but forward-looking: this data feeds the next Covered Material Categories List, which publishes by January 1, 2027. Source: CalRecycle SB 343 update letter (June 24, 2026), read from the letter itself, which carries the 18-to-21 county and 53%-to-62% table and the quoted disclaimer; CalRecycle carton notice letter (July 23, 2026); CalRecycle SB 343 Final Findings Report Table 2, Attachment 1 (updated June 24, 2026); CalRecycle SB 343 FAQ (August 13, 2025), PRC 42355.51(d)(1)(B)(iii) and (d)(2).