New US industry coalition launches plastic bag recycling program

The Progressive Bag Alliance (PBA), the California Retailers Association (CRA) and the California Grocers Association (CGA), announced the implementation of the US's first statewide plastic bag recycling program to provide California residents opportunities to easily and conveniently return plastic carryout bags for recycling to the stores which provide them.

On July 1, 2007, a new California law, AB 2449, takes effect requiring certain grocery stores and retail pharmacies with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space to provide at-store recycling programs for plastic carryout bags. With the law taking effect in less than one month, the PBA is partnering with retailers in California to help make it easier for consumers to recycle plastic bags. The PBA is also working with grocers around the country to put systems in place that facilitate the recycling of plastic bags.

AB 2449, the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2006, requires that certain grocers and pharmacies provide bins for the collection of plastic bags brought back by customers for recycling. Grocery stores and retail pharmacies are responsible for the collection, transportation and recycling of plastic carryout bags returned to their stores. New receptacles and signage at stores will inform patrons of the program and encourage them to return clean, dry, empty plastic bags to the store for recycling. A recycling message will be included on all plastic carryout bags to remind customers to return the bags to stores.

The PBA has designed a store "toolkit" to help retailers with public education, employee training and developing recycling systems. A new logo, to be used in certain stores and in a public education campaign, will ask customers to simply bring the bags back to the store for recycling.