Omar Khalid
California was the first state in the US to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in 2014. Since then, most grocery stores have turned to thicker, reusable plastic bags that are supposed to be recyclable. However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta suspects that these bags are not actually recyclable as required by law and has asked six bag manufacturers to back up their claims. Bonta argues that a comprehensive system is needed to collect, process, and sell the used bags, which does not currently exist. This investigation has brought attention to the issue of plastic bag recyclability in California and the potential for misleading claims by manufacturers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic bags banned in California | 2014 |
| Plastic bags that can be recycled | Clean and dry |
| Plastic bags that cannot be recycled | Plastic bags with food traces, paper receipts, or other materials |
| Action taken by Attorney General Rob Bonta | Asked six bag manufacturers to prove their bags can be recycled in California |
| Plastic bag manufacturers' response | Confident in their sustainability and compliance record |
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What You'll Learn
California's single-use plastic bag ban
California was the first state in the US to ban single-use plastic bags in 2014. The bill was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, who acknowledged the damage plastic bags were doing to the state's beaches, parks, and oceans. The ban, known as SB 270, came into effect on January 1, 2015, and applies to "single-use carryout bags," which are defined as any bag made of plastic, paper, or other material unless it is made from recycled paper or certified as a reusable grocery bag.
The law requires stores to charge at least 10 cents per bag for compostable or reusable plastic bags, and they must use the money earned from this to cover the cost of providing the bags. Stores cannot require customers to purchase a bag, and they must provide a free reusable grocery bag or recycled paper bag to customers using certain payment methods.
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) oversees the implementation of the law and publishes a list of compliant and noncompliant manufacturers and wholesalers. Stores can only sell or distribute reusable grocery bags made by producers certified by a third-party entity, and the bags must be certified to satisfy legal requirements.
In 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta investigated whether the thicker, more durable reusable bags introduced after the ban were truly recyclable as required by law. He asked six bag manufacturers to back up their claims and threatened legal action, including banning the bags or issuing multimillion-dollar fines. As of December 2022, his office had not disclosed how many companies had responded, but the investigation was still ongoing.
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Plastic bag manufacturers' claims
Plastic bag manufacturers have made various claims regarding the recyclability of their products in California. One common claim is that their bags are 100% recyclable, as indicated by the "chasing arrows" symbol printed on the bags. This symbol suggests that the bags can be recycled and reused to create new products.
Manufacturers also argue that their bags are made from recycled materials, contributing to sustainability efforts. For example, Revolution, one of the six manufacturers under scrutiny, claims to have been recycling more than 300 million pounds of plastic material annually for decades. The company considers itself an "environmental recycling company that also makes sustainable plastic solutions."
Another claim made by the manufacturers is that their bags meet the recyclability requirements mandated by California state law, SB 270. This law stipulates that reusable plastic bags sold in California must be "recyclable in the state." However, Attorney General Rob Bonta argues that this is not the case, as there is a lack of infrastructure and markets to support the recycling of plastic bags in California.
Additionally, manufacturers have suggested that consumers can recycle their plastic bags by dropping them off at specific retail locations, such as Wal-Mart. This method, known as "store drop-off," is intended to address the issue of plastic bag recycling. However, critics argue that very few bags are actually collected in the limited number of bins available statewide.
The plastic bag manufacturing industry has also been accused of engaging in deceptive marketing and advertising campaigns to convince the public that plastic waste can be managed through recycling. Attorney General Bonta refers to this as a "deception campaign," suggesting that corporations are perpetuating the "myth" that recycling will solve the plastics crisis.
In summary, plastic bag manufacturers in California claim that their bags are recyclable, both in terms of the materials used and their ability to be recycled within the state. However, these claims have been called into question by the Attorney General, who demands evidence to support the recyclability of these bags and the associated marketing and advertising claims.
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Plastic bag recycling challenges
Plastic bags are not easily recycled through conventional means. They require specialized machinery that draws them into water baths, shredders, and eventually extruders and injection mould systems that heal and melt the plastic fibres. This machinery is not as common as traditional recycling machinery, making it more challenging to recycle plastic bags.
One of the biggest challenges in recycling plastic bags is that traditional recycling machinery cannot process plastic film and shopping bags. The plastic film catches on wheels, fans, chain drives, and other components, causing serious damage. This challenge is further compounded by the fact that not all plastic film is recyclable. Consumers often find it challenging to determine which plastic films are recyclable, as it depends on factors such as stretchiness and the presence of crinkling sounds.
Another issue arises with plastic film that has multiple layers, such as bubble wrap. The recycling process for these multilayered plastics is more complex and requires specialized equipment to separate the layers. Additionally, the flexible nature of plastic bags and films makes it economically challenging to invest in the necessary collection and sorting facilities. The low weight-to-volume ratio of these materials contributes to the economic hurdle.
The recycling process for plastic bags and films also requires the plastic to be clean and dry. Contamination by other materials, such as receipts or twist ties, can hinder the recycling process and reduce the purity of the recovered plastic. This contamination challenge is further exacerbated by the fact that plastic bags and similar products are a top form of contamination in curbside recycling bins, as reported by California's Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling in 2021.
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Curbside recycling contamination
California was the first state in the US to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in 2014. Since then, most grocery stores have switched to thicker, reusable plastic bags that are supposed to be recyclable. However, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is investigating whether these bags are truly recyclable as required by law. He has asked six bag manufacturers to prove their recyclability and has threatened legal action, which could include banning the bags temporarily or issuing multimillion-dollar fines.
This issue highlights the broader challenge of curbside recycling contamination in the United States. Contamination occurs when items that don't belong in the recycling bin are placed there, such as diapers, electronics, batteries, plastic bags, and food-soiled paper and cans. These items can interfere with the recycling process, clog equipment, and increase the risk of worker injury. According to the National Waste and Recycling Association, about 25% of recycled materials are too contaminated to be recycled and end up in landfills.
The recycling process typically begins with curbside collection trucks transporting mixed recyclables to regional Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). At the MRFs, a complex sorting process separates different types of materials using both manual labor and sophisticated machinery. However, the single-stream recycling system, where all recyclables are dumped into one bin, has contributed to higher contamination rates. The machines sometimes struggle to differentiate between certain materials, leading to incorrect sorting and contamination of recycled goods.
To address curbside recycling contamination, some cities like Boston have implemented voluntary food waste collection programs to divert organic waste. New York City operates a dual-stream recycling system, requiring residents to separate paper and cardboard from metal, glass, plastic, and cartons. NYC also has specific rules for plastic recycling, only accepting plastic bottles and jugs. These measures aim to improve the quality of recycled materials and reduce contamination.
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California's plastic bag policy recommendations
California has been at the forefront of tackling the plastic crisis, with its pioneering ban on single-use plastic bags in 2014. The state's commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting recycling is evident through its various policies and initiatives. Here are some key recommendations that form California's plastic bag policy framework:
Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban
California's Senate Bill 270 (SB 270) prohibits stores from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. This ban aims to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags, which are a significant source of litter and contribute to the state's trash. The law appropriates $2 million to California's Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Subaccount to promote the creation of jobs and the manufacture and recycling of plastic reusable grocery bags.
Requirements for Reusable Grocery Bags
California has set specific requirements for reusable grocery bags made from plastic film to ensure they are more sustainable. These bags must be made with a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material, be certified as recyclable by a third party, and have a thickness of at least 2.25 mils. Bag manufacturers and distributors selling these reusable bags in California stores must pay a certification fee and submit proof of certification to CalRecycle through the Reusable Grocery Bag Reporting System (RGBRS).
Compliance and Enforcement
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) closely monitors the implementation of plastic trash bag mandates outlined in the Public Resources Code (PRC) and California Code of Regulations. It maintains compliance lists, and non-compliant companies are ineligible for state contracts until they achieve compliance. Additionally, cities and counties with their own bag ordinances must comply with local requirements, and stores operating in these areas should adhere to the respective local laws.
Strengthening the Plastic Bag Law
California's recent introduction of SB 1053 further strengthens the state's plastic bag restrictions, with stricter rules set to come into effect in 2026. This new legislation aims to address the ongoing challenges associated with plastic bag waste and reinforce California's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Promoting Sustainable Alternatives
California's policies aim to discourage the use of disposable bags and encourage the adoption of sustainable alternatives. By providing incentives for the manufacture and use of reusable bags, the state hopes to influence consumer habits and reduce the overall consumption of single-use plastic bags.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bags are supposed to be recyclable in California, but the state's attorney general suspects they are not. Most waste companies don't recycle the bags because they can't find buyers to take them.
Attorney General Rob Bonta has asked six bag manufacturers to back up their claims that the bags can be recycled and has threatened legal action.
One of the manufacturers, Revolution, said that the company has been recycling more than 300 million pounds of plastic material annually for decades and is “confident in our own sustainability and compliance record”.
Californians can use websites to find local places that will take their plastic bags for recycling. They can also reuse plastic bags as much as possible, such as by using them to line small garbage bins.
