News Release

ACC Supports California Coastal Clean Up

ACC’s Beach Recycling Program Continues Year Round

SACRAMENTO, CA (September 20, 2008) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) commends  Keep California Beautiful (KCB) and the California Coastal Commission for the work being done today to clean up our beaches and oceans as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean Up Day. To support the effort, ACC contributed collection bags to assist volunteers’ efforts to help clean up California’s beaches.

ACC fully supports efforts to keep our oceans clean by putting trash in the can and recyclables in the bin. Nearly one year ago, ACC entered into a successful partnership with KCB and California State Parks to increase the recycling of plastics, particularly on California beaches. Under the “Plastics. Too Valuable to Waste. Recycle.TM” campaign, new recycle bins are in place in various beach locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Monterey and Santa Cruz.

“Plastic should not end up as litter on our beaches and in our waterways,” said ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley.  “Our partnership and program works in concert with efforts like the International Coastal Clean Up to increase recycling and protect our environment for the future of California.”

ACC’s efforts extend beyond the beach.  ACC has worked with the California Legislature to pass a law requiring management programs in plastics facilities to reduce the accidental release of plastic pellets. In addition, ACC is working to promote the recycling of plastic bags, including having created the nation’s most comprehensive website with information on plastic bag recycling (www.PlasticBagRecycling.org). ACC is also working in partnership with many interested groups and agencies to develop other solutions to address the marine debris concern.

“Plastics are too valuable to waste,” Dooley said. “If we all work together, we can make great progress. We can reduce litter and we can increase recycling.”

More than 80 percent of U.S. households have access to a recycling program, be it curbside collection or community drop-off centers.  Yet in most areas, the demand for recycled plastics exceeds the available supply.  While there are approximately 2,100 certified recycling centers in California, many people still treat plastics as trash instead of a valuable material that is readily recyclable.