News Release

Plastic Bag Recycling Trend Gains Momentum

Data Show Plastic Bag Bans Are Environmental Risk

Arlington, Va. – January 28, 2008 – Plastic bag recycling is the new environmental policy trend in communities across the nation.  Last year California enacted a statewide law to provide at-store plastic bag recycling in every community.  This week New York City signed into law the most sweeping plastic bag recycling law of any major metro region in the country, with at least 2,000 stores offering recycling beginning summer 2008.  More and more, as communities explore this important issue, plastic bag recycling is understood to be the smart, practical option for the environment and the economy.   

Widely accepted lifecycle data indicate that banning plastic bags can create unintended negative consequences for the environment.  The obvious result of a plastic bag ban is an increased use of alternative bags, such as paper bags.  Paper bags create more solid waste, use more water and fossil fuels and generate more greenhouse gases than plastic bags.  Even a 100% recycled paper bag requires more energy to manufacture and process than a plastic bag.  Cities and states that have conducted diligent assessments of the environmental impacts associated with banning plastic bags are moving to plastic bag recycling as the practical solution.   

“The biggest state, the biggest city and the biggest retailer in the nation choose plastic bag recycling because it makes sense for the environment and the economy,” said Steve Russell, managing director for ACC's Plastics Division. “The growth of plastic bag recycling will continue to benefit the environment.  The facts are absolutely clear – plastic bags are a sound environmental choice.  Plastics are too valuable to waste; they should be recycled.”

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.