Plastics Division : Progressive Bag Affiliates (PBA)

Progressive Bag Affiliates (PBA)

what's new

No to the Bag Tax [The Baltimore Sun, 6/18/2009]
Paper or Plastic? A New Look at the Bag Scourge [The Wall Street Journal, 6/12/2009]
Plastic Bag Makers Announce Full Circle Recycling Initiative
4/21/2009 - Plastic bag makers have announced an aggressive goal of 40 percent recycled content (25 percent postconsumer) in all plastic bags by 2015. This unprecedented move reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 463 million pounds, conserves enough energy (mainly natural gas) to heat 200,000 homes, and reduces waste by 300 million pounds every year. To learn more, view our press release, read our FAQs, see a diagram illustrating the plastic bag recycling process, or get tips on how to recycle more plastic bags and wraps.
ACC’s Plastics Division Educates Wal-Mart’s Buyers and Suppliers on Plastics
2007 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report

Excellence in Manufacturing Practices. Environmental Leadership. Sound Public Policy.

The Progressive Bag Affiliates (PBA) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) creates positive change in our communities by promoting the increased recycling of plastic bags as well as their proper use, reuse and disposal. We recognize that more can be done to address environmental concerns. We work to create solutions to reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in our landfills and, sometimes, as litter. Together with policy makers, businesses and community members, PBA is dedicated to implementing new ideas and improving existing programs that make a difference.

Mission

The Progressive Bag Affiliates promotes the responsible use, reuse, recycling and disposal of plastic bags.

Making a Difference: Areas of Focus

ACC’s Progressive Bag Affiliates focuses on a variety of topics to find solutions to community issues related to plastic bag use. Some current areas of focus for the PBA are listed below:

City proposals that could impact consumers’ use of plastic bags
Increasing recycling opportunities (See our website plasticbagrecycling.org)
Litter prevention
Increasing bag reuse
Correcting misperceptions concerning litter and waste

Members

PBA’s members include leading manufacturers of plastic bags and polyethylene resins:

Learn More

Information Sheets

Reports

The City of San Francisco Streets Litter Re-Audit (2008)
A Qualitative Study of Grocery Bags in San Francisco (Use Less Stuff, 11/2008)
The editor of the Use Less Stuff Report travels to San Francisco to observe the effects of an ordinance passed in 2007 to ban the use of plastic carryout bags. Twenty-five stores were visited with an eye toward the types of bags used and effects on recycling.
2007 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report
The 2007 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Bag and Film Report is the third annual U.S. report on pounds of plastic bags and film recovered for recycling. The report includes data gathered from both domestic and export post-consumer plastic film markets. Research for this report was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. of Sonoma, CA for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council (ACC).
Life Cycle Assessment Comparing the Environmental Impacts of Plastic Bags and Alternatives
The ULS Report: Review of Life Cycle Data Relating to Disposable, Compostable, Biodegradable, and Reusable Grocery Bags

News Releases

Delaware Legislature Passes Recycling Program for Plastic Bags [7/2/2009]
Philadelphia Rejects Tax and Ban on Plastic Bags [6/18/2009]
D.C. Tax on Recyclable Plastic Shopping Bags Misguided and Unnecessary [6/17/2009]
North Carolina Bag Debate Ignores Environmental and Economic Impacts [6/9/2009]
Plastic Makers Welcome United Nations' Marine Litter Report, Support Call for Solutions Based on Integrated Waste Management [6/8/2009]
Philadelphia Rejects Tax on Recyclable Plastic Grocery Bags [5/18/2009]
Plastic Bag Makers Respond to "Plastic Bag Reduction Act of 2009" [4/23/2009]
Plastic Bag Manufacturers Set Aggressive Recycled Content Goal [4/21/2009]
D.C. Bag Tax Would Derail Plastic Bag Recycling [4/01/2009]
Plastic Bag Makers Respond to Recent Apple Decision, Support Efforts to Reduce Waste [3/23/2009]
Palo Alto, CA, Rejects Partnership to Increase Recycling, Outlaws Plastic Bags [3/16/2009]
U.S. Recycling of Plastic Bags and Film Reaches Record High in 2007 [2/5/2009]
New York City Grocery Tax Hurts Families and the Environment [1/30/2009]
New York Creates Statewide Recycling Program for Plastic Bags [12/13/2008]
In Face of Opposition, Santa Clara County Postpone's Tax Vote [12/11/2008]
Families Lose in Toronto as Council Imposes New Tax on Free Retail Plastic Bags [12/4/2008]
Austin, TX, Voluntary Plastic Bag Recycling Program Succeeding [11/19/2008]
Artistic Borough Near Jersey Shore Backs Local Businesses [11/14/2008]
Spokane, WA, Rejects Plastic Bag Tax [11/11/2008]
Tucson, AZ, To Join National Plastic Bag Recycling Trend [11/11/2008]
Fairfax, CA, Plastic Bag Ban Will Unintentionally Reduce Recycling, Harm The Environment [11/07/2008]
America’s Hometown Rejects Plastic Bag Ban, Joins National Plastic Recycling Trend [11/06/2008]
ACC Supports Reusable Bag Choice; Retailer's Decision Unlikely To Serve As A Model [10/09/2008]
Plastic Bag Manufacturers Commend Spirit of Wal-Mart Initiative [9/25/2008]
Hawaii County Vetoes Proposed Plastic Bag Ban [9/23/2008]
Statement By the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council: Plastic Bag Bans in Counties of Maui and Hawaii Environmentally Irresponsible [8/27/2008]
Senate Appropriations Committee Rejects 25-Cent Tax on California Grocery Bags [8/8/2008]
Seattle City Council Ignores Its Own Studies [7/30/2008]
Poll: Californians Strongly Oppose Tax on Plastic Bags [7/25/2008]
ACC Clarifies Los Angeles City Council Decision -- Pro-Recycling Group Encourages Public Support of Statewide Plastic Bag Recycling Law [7/24/2008]

Contact Us

For additional information about the PBA, please contact us at pba@americanchemistry.com.