Statement

Plastic Bag Makers Respond to Recent Apple Decision, Support Efforts to Reduce Waste

ARLINGTON, VA (March 23, 2009) – In response to Apple Inc.’s recent decision to stop offering plastic bags at its retail stores, Shari Jackson, director of the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council, today released the following statement:

“The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council (PBA) continues to support consumer choice, including shoppers’ rights to refuse a bag they don’t need, to bring their own reusable bags, and to choose plastic bags at the checkout.  Electronics retailer Apple Inc. recently decided to stop offering plastic bags to its customers.”

“Plastic bags are an environmentally responsible choice, and customers want to have a choice.  The key is to use the resource wisely, to reuse bags when appropriate and to recycle any plastic bags that are leftover.  Plastic bags require 70 percent less energy, generate 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and create 80 percent less waste than paper alternatives.  And plastic bags can be recycled into a variety of valuable products such as durable backyard decking, other building and construction materials, shopping carts and, of course, new bags.”

“In addition to promoting recycling, many of our efforts are focused on helping retailers to avoid the use of excess or unnecessary bags.  In the case of Apple stores, where many customers purchase computers and often make other single-item purchases such as iPods, we applaud Apple for taking steps to discourage shoppers from accepting bags that may not be necessary.”

“When it comes to purchasing multiple items, we respect consumer preference, and we understand that people want to make the right choice for the environment.  That’s why we continue to remind consumers that reusable, recyclable plastic bags are an environmentally responsible choice at the checkout.”

“The overwhelming majority of states, cities and retailers that have considered this issue have concluded that recycling is the best solution for reducing waste.  As a result, many grocery and retail chains across America now offer at-store collection bins so their customers can bring back used plastic bags and product wraps to be recycled.  In 2007, more than 830 million pounds of plastic bags and wraps were recycled in the United States, a 27 percent increase from 2005.”

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.  For more information, please visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org.