News Release

Delaware Bag Law Widens Plastics Recycling Opportunities

Not Only Grocery Bags – Other Plastic Bags and Wraps Also to Be Recycled

ARLINGTON, VA (August 19, 2009) – By signing a law that requires plastic bag recycling at grocery stores, Delaware Governor Jack Markell has provided citizens a new opportunity to recycle all sorts of plastic bags and wraps – and his actions were today applauded by bag manufacturers and citizens alike.

“More and more shoppers are getting used to bringing back plastic grocery bags to stores for recycling,” according to Shari Jackson of the American Chemistry Council’s Progressive Bag Affiliates.  “But by also collecting everyday plastic bags and wraps, shoppers can dramatically increase the amount of material available to make many useful recycled plastic products.”

The new law requires chain stores and large retailers to provide recycling bins specifically for plastic shopping bags and similar items.  Plastic bag makers are required to print a recycling message on all plastic shopping bags and to provide materials to help retailers educate shoppers about this new opportunity to recycle.

Although plastic shopping bags were the impetus for the new law, the recycling programs provide the means for Delaware shoppers to recycle of a wide range of plastic bags and wraps: plastic shopping bags, dry-cleaning bags, sealable bags (with hard parts removed), produce bags, product wraps for bread, paper towels, bathroom tissue, soda cases and more – even the plastic bags used to deliver newspapers – can be dropped in the bins for recycling.

“Delaware’s new law further demonstrates that increased recycling is a practical, workable solution that is good for the environment and the economy,” Jackson said. As an example, this week Seattle’s residents soundly rejected a move by the city council to tax bags $0.25 each because more than 90 percent of residents already reuse and recycle their plastic and paper bags.

Recycling of plastic bags and wraps increased 27 percent nationwide from 2005 to 2007.  Numerous states and municipalities, including California, New York state, Rhode Island, Chicago and Tucson have passed similar recycling legislation, which is expected to increase significantly the amount of plastic bags and wraps that are turned into new consumer products, such as durable backyard decking, fencing, railings, shopping carts and new shopping bags.

The new law goes into effect on December 1, 2009, although many Delaware retailers already have begun providing recycling bins.

Recently, the Progressive Bag Affiliates announced a landmark recycling goal of 40 percent recycled content, including 25 percent postconsumer material, in all plastic shopping bags made by these companies by 2015. When fully implemented, the Full Circle Recycling Initiative will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 463 million pounds, conserve enough energy (mainly natural gas) to heat 200,000 homes, and reduce waste by 300 million pounds every year.

Learn more about plastic bag facts.

About the Progressive Bag Affiliates
The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council promote 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. To learn more about increasing plastic bag recycling, please visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org.