Plastic Bag ChallengesIndustry Solutions Campaign

Larry Johnson, ChairmanProgressive Bag Alliance

PBA Solutions Campaign

• Progressive Bag Alliance – February, 2005– Hilex Poly, Vanguard, API, Superbag, Inteplast

• “Solutions Campaign” - Credible Programs−Recycling

At-StoreCurbside - CA Cities

−Effective Bag UseNo-Double BaggingMore Items Per Bag

• Anti-Litter Education

Recycling Advances

• Recycling Infrastructure Growing• Significant Advances in Machinery for Recycling• Hilex Poly Announces CA Washing Facility

– Bag to Bag Recycling to be Located in California.

– Start up late 2007– 15 mm pound capacity– Turn used bags back into new bags– curbside and at-store

State Legislation Passed – AB 2449

• ALL Drug Stores, Grocers Required:

– Provide Recycling Bins and Public Education– Bags-“Return to Participating Store for

Recycling”– Reusable Bags for Sale/Use by Customers– All Stores Can “Opt In” to Program

State Legislation Passed – AB 2449

• Bag Manufacturers, Distributors, wholesale grocers provide examples of recycling education materials to retail customers– PBA Developed Store-based education

materials– PBA Statewide Education Campaign -

PBA to develop and pay for advertising

Plastic Bag Collection & Recycling Toolkit

• Prototype Developed for LA• Grocers, City, Enviro Input

– Same “Branded” Color Scheme Statewide– Same “Branded” Slogans, Sign Design– Simple - Easy for Public to Understand

• Used in San Francisco• Approved by:

– Albertsons, Vons, Safeway, Ralph’s, other smaller stores in LA

Plastic Bag Collection & Recycling Toolkit

• Specifically for grocers and retailers• Step-by-step process to implement an at-store

program– Bag collection– Bag consolidation– Sale of material– Consumer education

• Beginning 1/1/07 Available in hard-copy or at www.progressivebagalliance.com

• CONTACT your bag manufacturer or distributorCONTACT your bag manufacturer or distributor

Plastic Bag Collection & Recycling Toolkit

• Bag Collection - Signage– Critical to have clear signs on the

recycling bins that direct the customer to the bin and instruct on what bags to place in the bins• A MUST FOR A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM!

– All plastic bag collection bins should be properly labeled

Plastic Bag Collection & Recycling Toolkit

• Bag Collection – Choosing a Bin – Options to best suit

your needs• Open frame racks• Corrugated

polypropylene bin and lid

• Solid plastic bin

– Toolkit outlines bin options and distributors

Plastic Bag Collection & Recycling Toolkit

• Sale of Material – Find a market suitable for your recycling program

• www.plasticbagrecycling.org/searchMarketBiz.php– Recycling opportunities– Drop-off locations

– Toolkit provides list of recycling companies and brokers• www.progressivebagalliance.com

• Contact your bag manufacturer/supplier if you have difficulties finding sources to purchase or handle this material