Opinion: SB 54 recycling reform supports San Diego’s small, minority-owned businesses

Plastics recycling Photo courtesy of the Plastics Industry Association San Diego County is home to one of the the bulk dynamic and diverse economies in California From family-run Filipino markets in National City to small logistics firms in Otay Mesa our region thrives because of the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small and minority-owned businesses These businesses are not just economic engines they re cultural anchors region employers and drivers of upward mobility That s why as California pushes forward on a few of the the bulk ambitious environmental goals in the nation it s critical that state leaders ensure their policies work for the people on the ground Bold setting action should be paired with practical solutions that recognize the real-world constraints small businesses face every day We at the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater San Diego are encouraged by the direction CalRecycle and the Newsom administration are taking with the greater part modern draft regulations to implement Senate Bill These regulations aim to reduce plastic waste and accelerate the shift toward a circular financial system goals we fully encouragement But in early stages there was real concern among our members that these rules could be too rigid too costly and too disconnected from the necessities of small immigrant-owned and community-based businesses In previous drafts the law s implementation risked creating steep financial burdens on businesses that already operate on tight margins For a Filipino-owned corner store in Mira Mesa or a produce distributor in Chula Vista even a modest increase in packaging costs or new compliance mandates could mean the difference between keeping staff or cutting hours Countless of our members don t have legal departments or sustainability officers they re focused on keeping their doors open serving their customers and staying competitive Fortunately policymakers seem to be listening The latest draft of the regulations reflects a much more balanced and inclusive approach CalRecycle has clearly worked to build in flexibility based on business size and industry type which is essential in a region as varied as San Diego County One-size-fits-all mandates solely don t work for the small family-run enterprises that power our local commercial sector Acknowledging this diversity and tailoring rules accordingly is a key step toward ensuring effective and equitable implementation of SB Even more encouraging is the draft s recognition that California must broaden its recycling toolkit to truly reach its sustainability goals A great number of of the materials used by businesses in food processing agriculture and shipping such as pallet wrap and multi-layered flexible films are critical for maintaining product quality preventing spoilage and keeping costs down for consumers Banning or phasing out these materials without viable alternatives would disproportionately impact small businesses and disrupt supply chains that stretch across the perimeter and throughout the state That s why embracing technological innovation is so key With the right incentives and regulatory structure California can lead the nation in advanced recycling creating new infrastructure new jobs and new sphere opportunities without sacrificing food safety product integrity or affordability These are win-win solutions that protect the circumstances while supporting economic increase and competitiveness But regulation alone isn t enough If we want this transition to succeed we need an equally ambitious outlay in guidance technical advocacy and infrastructure That includes rural access to recycling facilities multilingual outreach to immigrant and small business owners and partnerships with chambers of commerce and community-based organizations In a territory line region like ours that also means accounting for the complexities of cross-border commerce and ensuring binational supply chains are supported not disrupted The state must also continue engaging directly with the business locality Feedback loops matter Our members want to be part of California s environmental progress but they need a seat at the table and a clear understanding of how rules will affect their operations Regulations that are flexible clearly communicated and coupled with hands-on help are far more likely to deliver both environmental and economic benefits San Diego s Filipino and immigrant business district has invariably embraced innovation and resilience We stand ready to do our part in building a cleaner more sustainable California With continued collaboration and a thoughtful implementation strategy SB can be a model for how environmental progress and economic inclusion go hand in hand We commend CalRecycle for moving in the right direction and urge the state to keep listening keep adapting and keep building a path forward that reflects the voices of every region not just the biggest or loudest Femie Cupit is the founder and president of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater San Diego which advocates on behalf of Filipino entrepreneurs and small business owners across the region