Plastic Bag Recycling Legislation Passed in Delaware

The state of Delaware joined a handful of other U.S. states and cities last week to pass legislation requiring expanded consumer access to plastic bag recycling.

The new law, similar to those already passed in the states of California and New York, requires retailers and chain stores that give out plastic bags to consumers to provide collection bins for their recycling. The law will better promote statewide recycling efforts by creating a uniform statewide recycling program, decreasing current inconsistent local approaches.

Delaware consumers will soon be able to drop plastic bags in marked bins for recycling at their retail stores. Photo: Poway.ca.us

In addition to providing expanded consumer access to plastic shopping bag recycling, the law will also expand access for other varieties of plastic bags and wraps, making the question of where to recycle that dry cleaning bag or newspaper bag a bit less complicated.

The legislation will also require retailers to provide consumers with an option to purchase reusable bags and will require plastic bag manufacturers to print a recycling message on all shopping bags.

The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council, who represent the nation’s largest manufacturers and recyclers of plastic bags, applauded the legislation’s passing.

“This is good news for Delaware’s citizens and for the environment,” says Shari Jackson of the American Chemistry Council. “More and more, lawmakers recognize that plastics are a valuable material that should be recycled.”

The Progressive Bag Affiliates recently announced a landmark recycling goal of 40 percent recycled content in all plastic shopping bags by 2015. The Full Circle Recycling Initiative, as its been titled, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 463 million pounds and reduce waste by 300 million pounds each year.

Plastic bags and wrap can be recycled into new consumer products, including fencing, railings, decking, shopping carts and even new bags.

The bill (House Bill No. 15) is expected to go into effect August 2010.