News Release

San Jose City Council Ignores Recycling Offers; Current Plan Would Derail Growing Drop-off Bag Recycling Program

Local Business, Retail and Recycling Interests Remain Hopeful that Facts Will Come to Light

ARLINGTON, VA (September 25, 2009) – San Jose City Council this week ignored pleas by local retailers, businesses and recyclers to support plastic bag recycling and instead asked staff to begin work on punitive approaches, including outlawing plastic bags at retail outlets in the city, that, if passed, would derail the city’s growing drop-off recycling programs for plastic bags and wraps. 

In addition, despite a massive budget deficit, the Council also overlooked an offer from plastic bag makers – including financial resources and expertise – to help increase recycling and reduce litter.  That offer was designed to bring together interested groups to create cost-saving approaches and serve as a model for other cities.

Tim Shestek of the American Chemistry Council expressed disappointment that City Council disregarded his group’s offer to help the City increase recycling and decrease litter.  “We are offering financial resources and considerable expertise to help the City increase recycling, reduce bag waste and fight litter.  We’re disappointed that the city chose to ignore a collaborative approach to recycling, but we’re hopeful that San Jose officials will reconsider our offer when the City’s environmental review is completed.”

City Council also voted to wait until an environmental review of the as-yet-unwritten ordinance is complete before deciding whether to move forward with the ordinance.  Though it is unclear when an environmental review will be complete, business interests and recyclers are confident that the evaluation will demonstrate the detrimental aspects of banning plastic bags.

A recent study clearly shows that San Francisco’s ban on plastic bags in 2007 resulted in a switch to paper bags, which use 70 percent more energy, generate 50 percent more greenhouse gas emissions and produce 80 percent more waste than plastic bags.  San Francisco’s own litter audit determined that the ban did not reduce litter, one of the stated purposes of the city’s ban.

The vast majority of jurisdictions that have looked at policies to address plastic bags have concluded that recycling is the best solution for the environment and the economy.  Plastic bag makers, recyclers and local businesses remain confident that once the facts come to light in San Jose, City Council will come to the same conclusion.

The recycling of plastic bags and product wraps increased 27 percent nationwide between 2005 and 2007 to reach 830 million pounds annually in the United States.  Recycled plastic bags and wraps are used to make durable backyard fencing and decking, new home building products, and new bags.  This week, San Jose City Council heard from 11 California recyclers that expressed interest in purchasing more used plastic bags and wraps than are currently available.

Unless altered, City Council’s proposal would likely eliminate consumer drop-off recycling programs for plastic bags and wraps. Under California law, large retailers that offer plastic bags are required to provide drop-of locations where shoppers can return plastic bags, dry-cleaning bags, newspaper bags, and many types of product wraps (bread, paper towels, bathroom paper, case wrap, etc.) for recycling.  If plastic bags are outlawed, these drop-off recycling programs might completely disappear.

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/.