Recycle Plastic Grocery Bags

Paper or Plastic?

That is a question most of us are familiar with when we finish shopping at the grocery store. It seems that plastic has been an overwhelming winner of the choice. In fact, we are using 600 bags per second in California. And the unfortunate part is we only recycle approximately 1-4 percent of them.

Now, thanks to a new California law grocery chains and other large box stores are making it easier for customers to recycle their plastic bags. Most local grocery stores will be offering in-store recycling bins for plastics and reusable bags for purchase.

Recycling for the Environment
By Chair Margo Reid Brown

As of July 1st, there is a new law that will make it even easier for California to do the right thing by recycling plastic grocery bags. New requirements are now placed on grocery stores and pharmaceuticals to provide recycle bins for the estimated 19 billion plastic retail carryout bags we use annually. Read more...

So, why recycle plastic bags?

Well, plastic bags are not as innocent as they may seem. They are expensive, not only for the retailers to supply the bags, but also costly for all of us to clean up. In fact:

• It costs the state $25 million annually to landfill discarded plastic bags.
• Public agencies in California spend more than $300 million annually in litter cleanup.
• Southern California cities have spent more than $1.7 billion to restore clean water in trashed waterways such as rivers and lakes.
• Cities and recyclers spend enormous amounts removing plastic bags from other recyclable materials at the facility; plastic bags jam machinery and add to the manual labor costs of recycling. (Californians Against Waste)

What can you do so you're not left holding the bag?

It's simple! Here are five helpful ways to get those plastic shopping bags out of the environment:

1. Use reusable canvas or cloth bags.

   Reusable bags are more environmentally friendly than paper or plastic. Most grocery and big box stores now offer reusable bags for sale to customers. Keep them in your car for the next time you have to run out for groceries.

2. Say "No thank you."

   Not all items require a bag so tell the clerk, "No thank you." Carry small purchase items like a magazine, one piece of candy, or drink to the car instead of in a plastic bag.

3. Recycle!

   California requires large supermarkets or pharmacies to offer free recycling of plastic bags. This is an easy and convenient way to do the right thing. Bring those plastic bags to the car and recycle them next time you go to the store.

4. Reuse them.

   There are many great uses for plastic grocery bags such as trash can liners in the home or for doggie waste. Get creative and find new ways to reuse those bags.

5. Tell a friend.

   Get others to recycle and use reusable bags. Let them know where they can find them or turn them on to recycling opportunities at their nearest grocery store.

Press Coverage

State Kicks Off Progressive Plastic Bag Recycling Program: New law makes it easier for consumers to recycle their plastic bags
CIWMB News Release: July 2, 2007
Sacramento--Starting July 1, California consumers will find it easier than ever to do the right thing with all those plastic grocery bags. New legislation now requires that most grocers and pharmacies provide bins for the collection and recycling of plastic bags brought back by customers to generate greater markets for the use of recycled plastic bags as well as eliminate the havoc caused by plastic bag litter.

Law Requires Recycling Of Plastic Bags: Californians Use 19 Billion Bags Each Year
KCRA-TV 3, Sacramento: July 2, 2007
Sacramento--A new state law requires big grocery stores and retail pharmacies to have a recycling program for plastic bags.

Shoppers should keep it green
Whittier Daily News (by Peter Larkin)
ONCE again California is poised to lead the nation--this time in plastic carryout bag recycling.

With the passage of landmark legislation-the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 2449, Levine, D-Van Nuys)-California has again raised the recycling bar through a partnership between consumers and retailers.