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More cities are finding that a ban on plastic bags causes more environmental harm. Though many cities continue to consider banning plastic bags as a means to reduce litter, in the end most have determined that encouraging the recycling of plastic bags is a better option. California, New York City, and Illinois agree and have passed a plastic bag recycling law. Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island are in the process of considering plastic bag recycling policies. Through these efforts, we continue to see a rise in the recycling of plastic products with record number of recycled materials being collected in these states. Nationwide over 650 million pounds of plastic bags and film are recycled annually and reprocessed into useful new products, such as industrial packaging, trash liners, low-maintenance fencing and decking, building and construction products, and new carry out bags. Claims that they are not recyclable or are difficult to recycle are not true and are proving to be weak arguments made by those in favor of paper or even the cloth canvas bags made in China. As more U.S. manufacturers like Restaurant Bags.com will continue to work with businesses to collect and recycle the material, we will continue to see the recycling rates increase. "From old bags to new bags, over and over again - no other product can be recycled this easily. Though paper has a higher recycling rate, according to the US EPA, it also has the highest percentage of the landfill mass - so removing plastic will only escalate the landfill issues with increased paper usage." The market for recycled material is strong and the demand is growing. "Policy makers and consumers are getting the message: Plastic bags are too valuable to throw away!" stated Pete Grande, president of Command Packaging. CNN reported on the plastic bag issue, focusing on Whole Foods' decision to stop using plastic grocery bags. Sharon Kneiss of the Progress Bag Alliance (PBA) is quoted, pointing out the pitfalls of replacing plastic bags with paper bags and noting the need for plastic bag recycling. San Francisco, CA - The city implemented a ban on plastic bags in grocery stores and has since experienced a rise in the distribution of paper bags that have a much more negative impact on the environment. The premise of the ban to decrease litter and waste has had no affect on litter control. Oakland, CA lost their case against plastic bags. The Alameda Superior Court in California invalidates Oakland's ordinance to ban plastic carryout bags - their ordinance has been revoked based on lack of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). City Council's cursory attempts at gathering misinformation to support their cause continues to be overthrown by the courts.
Palo Alto City's proposed ban was overturned in the courts for failing to conduct a proper Environmental Impact Report (EIR). According to Palo Alto Online, major local grocers urged Palo Alto to go beyond merely banning plastic bags. They favored a more comprehensive plan to include recycling. Santa Monica, CA faced with a lawsuit, council members must rethink their decision about plastic bags. Manhattan Beach, CA - A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge rejects the Manhattan Beach Council Ordinance. The Manhattan Beach violated the California Environmental Quality Act by not fully analyzing the ban's potential negative environmental effects before approving the ordinance. The city officials were incorrect to assume their initial cursory review was sufficient enough to determine a ban would not negatively affect the environment. Click here to read more. The sentiment around the country seems to be changing from bans to encouragement of recycling: California's AB 2449 – Van Nuys, requires certain grocery stores and retail pharmacies with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space to provide in-store recycling programs for plastic carryout bags. In addition, the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2006 requires that certain grocers and pharmacies provide bins for the collection of plastic bags brought back by customers for recycling.
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