SECTIONS 18010-18016 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 18010-18016

18010. "Rigid plastic container" means any formed or molded article
comprised predominantly of plastic resin and having a relatively
inflexible finite shape or form intended primarily as a single
service container with a capacity of eight ounces or more and less
than five gallons.

18011. "Rigid plastic bottle" means any rigid plastic container
with a neck that is smaller than the container body with a capacity
of 16 ounces or more and less than five gallons.

18012. "Label" means a code label described in Section 18015 molded
into the bottom of the plastic product.

18015. (a) All rigid plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers
sold in California on and after January 1, 1992, shall be labeled
with a code which indicates the resin used to produce the rigid
plastic bottle or rigid plastic container. Rigid plastic bottles or
rigid plastic containers with labels and basecups of a different
material shall be coded by their basic material. The code shall
consist of a number placed inside a triangle, and letters placed
below the triangle. The triangle shall be equilateral, formed by
three arrows with the apex of each point of the triangle at the
midpoint of each arrow, rounded with a short radius. The pointer
(arrowhead) of each arrow shall be at the midpoint of each side of
the triangle with a short gap separating the pointer from the base of
the adjacent arrow. The triangle, formed by the three arrows curved
at their midpoints shall depict a clockwise path around the code
number. The numbers and letters used shall be as follows:
1 = PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
2 = HDPE (high density polyethylene)
3 = V (vinyl)
4 = LDPE (low density polyethylene)
5 = PP (polypropylene)
6 = PS (polystyrene)
7 = OTHER (includes multilayer)
(b) A "7" shall appear below the resin abbreviation when the
bottle or container is composed of more than one layer of that resin.
(c) On and after January 1, 1989, the Division of Recycling of the
Department of Conservation shall maintain a list of abbreviations
used on labels pursuant to subdivision (a) and shall provide a copy
of that list to any person upon request.

18016. On and after January 1, 1992, it is unlawful to manufacture
for use in this state any rigid plastic container which is not
labeled in accordance with Section 18015. A violation of this section
is a crime punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).