As editor of Plastic bag recycling kicks off statewide in California this weekend, and the California Grocers Association and the Progressive Bag Alliance are ready with an at-store collection tool kit.
Under state law AB 2449, groceries and other retailers are implementing recycling programs for plastic bags, and also providing reusable bags for sale to customers, starting July 1, according to a news release from the grocers' trade group.
"This program is the result of legislation worked on by a coalition of environmental groups, local governments, and the supermarket and chain drug industries, said Pamela Williams, Senior Vice President for the California Retailers Association. "It's an example of what can be achieved when we work together."
With San Francisco banning many plastic bags, and other cities poised to join that trend, this looks a little like closing the barn door after the horses run away. But there really is a healthy recycling market for plastic grocery bags, and I think this program has a chance to succeed. Do you think state and local politicians will give it a chance?
Comments (1)
If the bag-defenders talk about costs and even convenience, no.
If they all look into the environmental advantages of plastic bags, maybe.
If they dare to expose the focus on the bags as a diversion from the issues of consumption and convenience, it's hard to tell where those chips may fall.
Tell the anti-bag people to practice what they preach, and:
a) request no double-bagging
b) buy less stuff, especially bulky stuff
c) make a place at home for bags to be recycled, and do it, and
d) make fewer trips to the market.
Many years ago, Ian Boustead (UK) showed that this factor -- moving a 3000+-lb car several miles just to get 10 lb of groceries -- was far more important than what those groceries were packaged in.
Posted by allan griff | July 6, 2007 6:43 AM
Posted on July 6, 2007 06:43