Plastic bag makers targeted by California Attorney General Rob Bonta's challenge over the recyclability of their products say they have a good case to make to the state.
Bonta's Nov. 2 announcement that he had sent letters to seven bag manufacturers, demanding that they substantiate recylability claims, appeared to catch the industry by surprise.
Industry response has been muted in general, perhaps reflecting Bonta's comments that the companies could face millions of dollars in fines for what he says are violations of state laws.
Two of the companies responded to questions from Plastics News questions, with the strongest statement coming from Little Rock, Ark.-based Revolution Co., which pointed to its record of supporting environmental measures in the state.
Revolution CEO Sean Whiteley noted that its subsidiary, Command Packaging in Vernon, Calif., helped to draft the state's 2014 plastic bag ban law.
"With Revolution locations throughout California, we appreciate the attorney general's focus on the critical issue of plastic recycling," Whiteley said. "We are proud of and confident in our own sustainability and compliance record, and we look forward to sharing our thoughts on how our unique approach helps contribute to a more sustainable future together."
Command Packaging also hosted a 2014 ceremony to unveil the bag ban legislation, and that event was attended by environmental groups and several state legislators, including then-state Sen. Alex Padilla, who is now in the U.S. Senate after being appointed in 2021 to fill the seat vacated by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Whitely said Revolution recycles about 300 million pounds of plastic a year nationwide
"At our core, we are an environmental recycling company that also makes sustainable plastic solutions," Whitely said. "This mission is also the reason we have consistently championed, through our Command Packaging subsidiary, California legislation promoting initiatives that support and preserve our environment."
The other bag maker to respond, Hartsville, S.C.-based Novolex, was more muted, saying in a brief statement that it is reviewing Bonta's letter.
"Novolex is committed to complying with all state laws and regulations and is proud to operate three facilities in California, employing several hundred people in the state," Phil Rozenski, vice president for public affairs, said.
"We are committed to working with ... Bonta's office and the California government towards a sustainable future," he added.
The companies are looking at a more formal response date where they could provide more details — Bonta gave them until Nov. 16 to reply to his letters.