The numbers are in. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery released its annual update to the covered material categories list for SB 54, the law behind the state’s upcoming extended producer responsibility for packaging program and source reduction goals. For the first time, that document listed a recycling rate determination for each category, with cardboard and glass getting the strongest marks. CalRecycle estimated these recycling rates as the percentage of overall covered material recycled and disposed in 2024. A separate study that CalRecycle released in 2025 found that Californians disposed of nearly 8.5 million tons of single-use packaging and food ware in 2024, with 40 million tons of total material sent to landfills. About 21% of that was material that will be covered under SB 54. Please go to the article link for the details.

States such as Colorado and Maine have banned more products, while states such as Minnesota and New Mexico will require manufacturers to submit reports detailing their forever chemicals usage. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working to revamp regulations on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, including reporting requirements, states are charging ahead with their own PFAS legislation through 2026.  The legislation is a mix of recently enacted laws and statutory provisions being phased in, including reporting requirements with summer deadlines.

The “green economy” surpassed $5 trillion in annual value in 2024 and is projected to top $7 trillion annually by 2030, according to a new report from the Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum. The Tuesday report classified the green economy as “commercial solutions with a clear environmental purpose or solutions that are a direct response to environmental challenges,” which included activities focused on mitigation, adaptation and resilience. “Recent geopolitical developments, energy security considerations and short-term economic pressures have shifted the conversation on climate action,” the report said, but added that actual investments in sustainable solutions have continued to increase. “Recent headlines may suggest that the climate transition is stalling,” Valdre and Hernold wrote. “Yet, overall growth in the green economy has not wavered. On the contrary, investments in green technologies keep jumping from record to record.”

Forests in the United States are at a critical moment. While they remain among the most productive and diverse in the world, they are under increasing pressure from climate-driven disturbances, development, and the growing demand for wood-based products, which could increase the risks of unsustainable harvesting practices and illegal logging, all linked to long and complex supply chains. The approval of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for US Version 2.0, officially published on January 1, 2026, represents an important step toward addressing these challenges—strengthening forest conservation while supporting resilient, economically viable forest management. The FSC US Forest Stewardship Standard 2.0 is the result of seven years of shared work, public consultation, and collaboration with FSC International, involving forest owners, Indigenous representatives, environmental NGOs, labour groups, scientists, and industry stakeholders. As Amy Clark Eagle, FSC US Director of Science and Certification, notes, “the revision aligns global consistency with U.S.-specific priorities.” FSC US President Sarah Billig underscores that this collaborative process helps ensure the standard is both trusted and practical. With publication on January 1, 2026, an effective date of April 1, 2026, and a transition period through September 30, 2027, the FSC US Forest Stewardship Standard 2.0 offers forest managers and partners a clear path forward.