Bag recycling numbers raise flags
Thu, 02/09/2012 - 13:24 | 
dylan
Bag recycling numbers raise flagsBy Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling The American Chemistry Council has released numbers showing that the recycling of plastic bags is on the rise. But one environmental group is suggesting that these numbers aren't what they seem. A record 972 million pounds of post-consumer plastic bags and wraps were recycled in 2010, according to a new report developed by Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. for the American Chemistry Council. The research shows that this is an increase of 14 percent over 2009, with the total number of pounds collected rising by more than 117 million pounds. The new numbers also represent an increase of 50 percent since 2005, when Moore Recycling began tracking the recycling of plastic film. The ACC attributes the rise in plastic film recycling to a combination of increased access to collection points at grocery stores and other retailers, better labeling on bags and a rise in consumer awareness. The recovered polyethylene film is used to make a variety of products, including composite lumber and other film products. Hoping to expand the recycling of plastic film, the ACC has formed the Flexible Film Recycling Group, which represents the full plastics film value chain, including resin suppliers, manufacturers, brand owners and recyclers. However, one environmental group isn't cheering the announcement. Californians Against Waste wrote in a statement that the ACC used "selective reporting and a questionable methodology to paint a falsely rosy picture of plastic bag recycling." "The report suggests that from 2009 to 2010 the volume of plastic bags recycled grew by about 27 million pounds," reads a statement from the organization. "What they fail to tell you is that during that same period, the U.S. EPA reports that the number of single-use plastic bags distributed grew by 220 million pounds during the same period. Bottom line: substantially more single-use plastic bags were distributed, littered and disposed of in 2010 than in 2009 — we're moving in the wrong direction." The CAW also asserts that the recently released numbers are part of a broader campaign by the ACC to stave off plastic-bag bans and regulations of other products. |
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For the record ...
These suggestions by Californians Against Waste (CAW) are misleading and deserve to be corrected. First, ACC’s report is about plastic bag and film recycling—not just bags. The overly narrow focus on “bags” completely overlooks the fact that many forms of plastic film, including commercial and consumer product wraps, are collected at grocery and retail stores. Second, by any reasonable measure, Moore’s and EPA’s data unequivocally demonstrate that the recycling of plastic film is growing – substantially – so that recycling now stands at nearly 1 billion pounds/year. EPA’s data show that since 2005, the recycling of plastic film has grown 15 times faster than recycling overall – 95% vs. 6% growth. (EPA MSW Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the US for 2010, Table 20). Furthermore, EPA’s report shows that the plastic film recycling rate doubled from 5% in 2005 to 11.5% in 2010 (Table 21).
Something else CAW missed: The very same EPA data that show a 220 million pound increase in production also show that bag generation had previously declined by 560 million pounds in 2009. Does that mean bag recycling greatly outpaced production in 2008 to 2010? We believe the answer is yes (Table 18).
While we may not agree with CAW on everything, plastics makers do agree that the recycling rates for plastic film, which includes commercial shrink wrap along with consumer bags and product wraps, can – and should – be higher. We’re working very hard to make that happen, including by transparently tracking progress using the best data available. Dismissing the successes of consumers and retailers in collecting significantly more of this valuable material by labeling them “a failure” is not only misleading, it is a disservice to everyone working to make a difference.
Steve Russell
Vice President, Plastics Division
American Chemistry Council
Where we agree
I appreciate that Steve Russell recognized a point of agreement between the ACC and CAW - that recycling rates for plastic films can and should be higher. I applaud any efforts the ACC is taking in this direction, which have to include public education, financial support for recycling infrastructure, and commitments to utilize scrap film, thereby stimulating collection through market forces. A point which Mr. Russell did not concede was the glaring reality to which the public is gradually awakening, that plastic bags are being produced and used in excessive quantities today.
Jeffrey Smedberg, Recycling Programs Coordinator, County of Santa Cruz
The Big Picture
Shame on anyone who misrepresents data or uses it in a misleading way. Even more shame for non-peer-reviewed studies... But I digress. None of that addresses "The Big Picture" with plastic bags: They are a vermin in our environment - clogging storm drains, killing wildlife. contaminating compost, costing municipalities millions in management costs (see San Jose and San Francisco)... lasting virtually forever. "Paper or Plastic?" The answer is neither. And to say that plastic bags can be re-used is not good positioning, because many of those re-use ideas ultimately send the bags to the landfill, where they often end up floating about in the breeze... Banning plastiic bags - and, yes, charging shoppers for compostable bags when they don't have their own re-usable bags - is a must-do for our society.
Bob Sly, San Diego