Delaware Passes Plastic Bag Recycling Law
by Amanda Wills
Published on August 19th, 2009
5 Comments
Following our recent coverage of Delaware’s new plastic bag recycling legislation, House Bill 15 was officially signed Aug. 17 by Governor Jack A. Markell.
The new law, which takes effect Dec. 1 of this year, requires all retail stores of at least 7,000 square feet, or retailers with three or more Delaware locations, to provide in-store plastic bag recycling. House Bill 15 will also call for these stores to provide reusable bags for purchase. By Aug. 1, 2010, retailers must also have a message that encourages recycling on all plastic bags.
Delaware's new law will require retailers to have in-store bins in an effort to increase plastic bag recycling. According to the EPA, about 12 percent of plastic bags and wraps were recycled in 2007. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com
Similar to the laws passed in New York and California, House Bill 15 will decrease the amount of bags landfilled and boost uniformed plastic bag recycling throughout the state.
“By encouraging Delawareans to recycle now, we can reduce pollution, preserve our natural resources and set an example for future generations,” Governor Markell told Sussex Countian. “This new store where we make this law today is not only putting people to work to help our economy – it’s putting customers to work helping the environment.”
In addition to providing expanded consumer access to plastic shopping bag recycling, it will also expand recycling resources for other varieties of plastic bags and wraps, making the question of what to do with dry cleaning bags or newspaper bags a bit less complicated.
About 89 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are used each year in the U.S. In 2007, more than 830 million pounds of plastic bags and film were recycled, a 27 percent increase from 2005, according to the American Chemistry Council.
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posted on August 19th, 2009 at 6:47 am
[...] Delaware Passes Plastic Bag Recycling Law – Earth911.com [...]
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posted on August 19th, 2009 at 10:15 am
[...] Some states have enacted laws requiring recycling of the bags. Delaware’s governor signed a law this week requiring large retailers to provide in-store bag recycling, and California and New York have similar requirements, according to Earth911. [...]
Jennie Nigrosh
posted on August 19th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
That’s great news!! Re-usable bags are the best way to eliminate plastic! The Green Garmento is giving away free re-usable dry cleaning bags! To see how, go to: http://www.thegreengarmento.com/BASE/SS/get-free-bags/
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posted on November 2nd, 2009 at 4:05 am
[...] retailers to provide in-store bag recycling, and California and New York have similar requirements, according to Earth911. Social Bookmarking « Quote of the Week [...]
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posted on February 9th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
[...] delaware – maybe some of it not so dumb, but still [...]