American Chemistry Council slams California grocery bag billAmerican Chemistry Council slams California grocery bag bill

Shestek said, "Why would California pass a law encouraging plastic bag recycling and then dismantle the program when it shows success? Why crush the supply of this valuable material when California recyclers are demanding all they can get? Common sense hopefully will prevail in the Senate, and this bill will be rejected."

Noting that it was only four years ago that the California legislature voted to support a statewide plastic bag recycling infrastructure, Shestek pointed out that millions of bags and other plastic film products are now being recycled. He also pointed out that the switch from plastic to paper bags allowed under the bill would be likely to increase environmental impacts, and cited a recent study showing that San Francisco's switch to paper bags increased energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste, but did not reduce litter.

The ACC's Plastics Division is actively working on a number of programs to reduce litter by increased access to recycling, advancing recycling technology, and public education.