California plastics law too rigid?

California's rigid plastic packaging container law&#44 which establishes rates and dates for recycling and source reduction requirements in rigid plastic containers used in food and beverage packaging&#44 takes effect on January 1&#44 1997.

By Cecelia Blalock, Washington correspondent.

In a mid-December 1995 report to State authorities a consortium of six food industry trade associations said progress had been made in meeting the goals of the law but that it will be difficult to meet the compliance deadline given today's technology. "Now that the report has been accepted we're into the second phase when we try to work with State officials to develop a satisfactory solution" says Tim Willard spokesman for the National Food Processors Association (NFPA).