California and New York Leading the Nation In Plastic Bag Recycling Efforts

Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council Encourage
Legislation to Promote Plastic Bag Recycling

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the New York City
Council passed the "New York City Plastic Carryout Bag Recycling Law,"
requiring any store in New York City that uses plastic bags and occupies 5,000
or more square feet to establish an in-store recycling program for plastic
bags. The legislation mirrors California legislation (AB 2449) passed in 2006,
which also encourages in-store recycling by consumers.
"As national leaders like California and New York City adopt recycling
laws, they have set an example for municipalities across the nation to
creatively employ existing resources to reduce waste, improve sustainability
and achieve broader environmental goals," said Steve Russell, managing
director of ACC's Plastics Division.
"As a result, the markets for recycled plastic bags are healthy and
growing. The message to policy makers and consumers is clear: Plastic bags
are a valuable resource that can be -- and should be -- recycled," Russell
said.
AB 2449, sponsored by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D -- Van Nuys),
requires certain grocery stores and retail pharmacies with more than 10,000
square feet of retail space to provide in-store recycling programs for plastic
carryout bags. In addition, the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2006 requires
that certain grocers and pharmacies provide bins for the collection of plastic
bags brought back by customers for recycling. Grocery stores and retail
pharmacies are responsible for the collection, transportation and recycling of
plastic carryout bags returned to their stores.
Across the nation, many states and local governments are seeking to enact
policies that encourage environmental responsibility. While some have
considered banning plastic bags as a means to reduce litter, most have
determined that encouraging the recycling of plastic bags is a better option.
For example, like California and New York City, Illinois recently passed a
plastic bag recycling law, and Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island are in
the process of considering plastic bag recycling policies.
Plastic bags are a fully recyclable and environmentally responsible choice
at the checkout. Nationwide over 650 million pounds of plastic bags and film
are recycled annually. These materials are made into useful new products, such
as low-maintenance fencing and decking, building and construction products,
and new carryout bags. In San Francisco, the only U.S. city implementing a ban
on plastic bags, paper bags are being distributed. Studies show the
production of paper bags requires far more energy, doubles greenhouse gas
emissions, creates approximately 70 percent more air pollution and 50 times
more water pollution than the production of plastic bags. Nationwide
replacing plastic bags with paper would sacrifice over 40 million trees
annually.
About the Progressive Bag Affiliates
The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council promotes
the responsible use and recycling of plastic bags. The PBA recycling toolkit
is being used by retailers around the nation as a reference for determining
the best ways to deploy effective recycling solutions in stores. For more
information, please visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org.
here
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies
engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of
chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives
better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental,
health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R), common sense
advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and
environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a
$635 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one
of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every
dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors
in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary
concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working
closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any
threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.
SOURCE The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council

Michelle Vega, +1-323-202-1035, michelle.vega@edelman.com; or Rob Krebs,
+1-703-741-5626, rob_krebs@americanchemistry.com, both for The Progressive Bag
Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council