RALEIGH, N.C. -- Degradable plastics in North Carolina must now be labeled to prevent contamination of recyclable feedstocks, thanks to a measure approved June 5 by the state Legislature.
After legislative approval, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has 10 days to sign it into law.
Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, said the bill is good for both local business and the environment.
"Recycled plastic is valuable and shouldn't be going into landfills," McGrady said in a news release. McGrady's office said the legislation had the support of the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, the National Association for PET Container Resources, the NC Beverage Association and the Carolina Recycling Association.
North Carolina boasts one of the most successful statewide recycling programs in the country, reporting nearly 500,000 tons of recyclables collected statewide through curbside collection alone last year.
"Recyclable commodities are increasingly important feedstocks for North Carolina manufacturers, and community collection services are a vital part of the material supply chain," said John Skvarla, secretary of the state's Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in an April report on solid waste disposal rates.