If you’re an event producer considering putting on a large scale event in California, it’s critical to know what the 2025 California Event Regulations are and to note that California has stringent environmental regulations aimed at curbing waste production and pollution and promoting landfill diversion strategies.
While regulations aim to make landfills impervious to the environment, note that, over time, nature will find her way in eventually. Plants and erosion break down industrial-grade liners, releasing leachate, liquid landfill waste, into the environment. Leachate contains arsenic, lead, mercury, dioxins, and other toxic chemicals which cause cancer, create dead zones, and kill plant and animal life. As a result, California’s laws are aimed at increasing recycling, composting and food recovery as part of an overall sustainability initiative.
So if you are producing an event of over 2000 people, it’s important to know that most cities will require you to file paperwork with the city detailing how you intend to comply with state laws.
What are those laws? Here is a rundown of what you need to know:
SB 1383
As of 2022, SB 1383 requires food recovery and organics recycling into compost. Aimed at reducing methane pollution and sending 75% less organic waste to landfills and 20% of still-edible food to food recovery organizations. While rural low population and high elevation communities have waivers or exemptions for SB 1383, all major cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are required to find recovery partners.
The Careit and Food Rescue Hero apps make it easier to find food recovery partners. You post the food you have to donate and charities who can distribute your leftovers to food-insecure individuals can claim those donations in real time.
AB 2176
Passed in 2004, AB 2176 requires large venues and event organizers to develop waste reduction and recycling plans and to report their results to local agencies. Materials of note include corrugated cardboard and cardboard boxes, food waste, compostables such as animal bedding, beverage containers, aluminum, glass, and paper. While the law takes particular aim at large private, nonprofit or publicly owned stadiums, sports arenas, theaters, halls, amusement parks, zoos, airports, fairgrounds, museums and other large venue businesses, it also applies to standalone one-off or annual events that might rent an indoor venue or take place in a parking lot, park, street system, or other space outdoors.
While private dumpster companies tend to only offer landfill services, all franchise haulers offer recycling programs. To find out who the franchise hauler is where your event takes place, go to the city webpage and look up their solid waste management franchise holders. If your event is in Los Angeles, recycla.com has a map with the territories for the seven franchise haulers including CalMet, NASA, Republic, Universal Waste Systems, Ware Disposal, and Waste Management.
Keep in mind that because the franchise waste haulers work earlier than business hours during weekdays, this means that you will need to schedule your dumpster delivery and pickup during these times unless you want to pay an exorbitant overtime rate. (Athens charges $500 per dumpster per delivery or pickup for late nights and weekends.)
SB 54
The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act was passed in 2022 and goes into effect in 2025 to address the environmental impact of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware. The packaging law requires that by 2032, there be a 25% reduction of single-use plastic, that 65% of single-use plastic is recycled and that 100% of single use packaging and food wares are compostable or recyclable.
Keep in mind that compostable and recyclable are not necessarily the same thing. Identifying which items can be composted is critical for success.
Composting is not only great for achieving zero waste, but it also contributes towards net zero emissions because it sequesters carbon and adds nutrients to our soil.
One thing I want to clarify is that compostable and biodegradable do not mean the same thing.
Biodegradable products are anything that undergoes degradation. However, just because they break down, doesn’t mean that the results are better for the environment. Bioplastics are a shining example of this. Yes, they degrade faster than plastics, but they also create harmful byproducts.
Compostable products on the other hand break down and leave no toxic residue. For a product to be truly biodegradeable and and nontoxic, it must be designed to break down without impacting compost quality.
If you want to know if something is compostable, look for the BPI or CMA certifications. BPI World, the Biodegradable Products Institute and CMA (the Compost Manufacturing Alliance) provide testing and certification based on scientifically determined standards.
This law shifts the plastic pollution burden from the consumers to the producers by raising $5 billion from industry members over 10 years to cut plastic pollution and support low income communities damaged most by the impacts of plastic waste.
One of the most surefire ways to comply with this law is to avoid plastic packaging and find alternatives in bamboo, hemp, cardboard, wood, compostable cornstarch, and edible packaging.
SB 707
While the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 is aimed more at textile companies, for event producers who are trying to comply with the above laws, it’s important to take note of this statute as well. In 2021, 1.2 million tons of textiles were disposed of statewide. SB 707 requires textile companies to join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to create collection sites, drop-off locations and mail-back programs for post-consumer items. So if your production build uses textile products or your event is around fashion or fast fashion, then you will also need to provide this information and these collection sites for your guests and clients.
SB 399
The California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act bans producers from holding mandatory meetings for staff and temporary employees to communicate religious or political opinions or ideas.
AB 1815
The CROWN Act which was implemented to expand the definition of race discrimination to include protective hairstyles including but not limited to braids, cos, and twists, was expanded by this law to expand the definition of race as inclusive of traits associated with race. This law applies to dress codes and grooming policies.
AB 1775
Passed in 2022, AB 1775 establishes workplace safety training and certification standards for companies that produce live events at publicly owned and operated venues. Any employees setting up, operating or tearing down a live event for an entertainment events venue must have had specified training, certification and workforce requirements in compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
STATE PARK PERMITS
If you are holding an event in a California State Park, you are required to apply for a Special Event Permit and provide liability insurance certification. To find out more, visit their website here.
SWAP MEETS AND FLEA MARKETS
If you are operating any kind of swap meet, flea market, craft fair, or event where goods and services are bought and sold, you are required to keep written records of sellers, verify valid seller permits, and comply with safety and health regulations for events and food vendors. Form CDTFA-410-D must be filled out to collect seller information.
AB 2174
Starting in 2025, breweries holding a Type 01 or Type 23 license can apply for a Beer Caterer’s Permit which allows these smaller craft breweries better access to public and private events. This expands new opportunities for commerce and exposure for smaller businesses by allowing them to sell beer at events held off their licensed premises. These events can range from street fairs and civic gatherings to private parties and sporting events. Craft breweries with this permit (that comes with an annual fee) can sell up to 124 gallons of beer at each event for a maximum of 36 events per calendar year.
Breweries must maintain records of their sales for at least three years and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control much approve each event, ensuring compliance with existing alcohol laws.
PopUP CleanUP helps experiential marketers and event producers identify and implement landfill diversion strategies and comply with California laws as part of a comprehensive event cleanup plan.
