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The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54, Allen, Chapter 75, Statutes of 2022) requires the Director of CalRecycle to appoint a producer responsibility advisory board by July 1, 2023. The purpose of the advisory board is to identify barriers and solutions to creating a circular economy and to advise the department, producers, and producer responsibility organizations in the implementation of this new law. CalRecycle received applications from a diverse group of candidates, and we appreciate the commitment of all applicants to engage in this process. Whether or not selected, CalRecycle encourages all interested parties to continue their engagement by participating in regulatory workshops and information sessions, attending advisory board meetings, and submitting comments to the Department. Thank you to all who applied and please join us in welcoming the following representatives to the inaugural Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Advisory Board: 

• Nominated by a statewide city association – Timothy Burroughs, Executive Director of StopWaste 
• Nominated by a statewide rural county association – Tedd Ward, Director of Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority
• From an environmental protection agency – Doug Kobold, Executive Director of the California Product Stewardship Council
• From an ocean advocacy organization – Miho Ligare, Plastic Pollution Policy Manager of Surfrider Foundation 
• From an environmental justice organization – Thomas A. Helme, Co-Founder & Project Director of Valley Improvement Projects
• From a disadvantaged or low-income community or rural area – Fred Briones, Chief Executive Officer of Native American Fiber Program
• Of a materials recovery facility located within the State of California – Christy Pestoni, Director of Government Affairs of Waste Connections
• Of a recycling service provide or an association of recycling providers – Veronica Pardo, Regulatory Affairs Director of Resource Recovery Coalition of California
• From a composting industry operating in the State of California – Neil S. Edgar, Executive Director of California Compost Coalition
• Of a manufacturer that produces third-party certified compostable covered material – Erin Levine, Resource Recovery Manager-West of World Centric
• Of a manufacturer of covered materials – Patrick Keenan, Associate Packaging Principal Engineer of General Mills
• Of a manufacturer of covered materials – Wes Carter, President & Co-Founder of Atlantic Packaging Corp
• Of a manufacturer of covered materials – Ajit Perera, Vice President of Post Consumer Operations of Talco Plastics, Inc.
• Nominated by a statewide association representing the retail sector – Rachel Michelin, President & Chief Executive Officer of the California Retailers Association
• Nominated by a statewide association represent the grocery sector – Timothy James, Director of Local Government Relations of the California Grocers Association
• Of a producer responsibility organization – Held vacant until the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) is selected by CalRecycle. Once selected, the PRO will submit a letter to the Director with their recommended appointee.