1. How can my company keep track of the plastic bag legislation that is being passed at state and local levels?
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Because much of the legislation around plastic consumer bags is at the local level and there are frequent changes, tracking the requirements can be challenging, and there is no one resource with all the requirements. The Retail Compliance Center (RCC) has a compliance matrix that provides an overview of state and local consumer bag legislation across the United States for both paper and plastic bags. However, because of the number of jurisdictions and frequent changes to the regulations, the RCC matrix may not be complete. Many retailers use multiple resources, as well as information reported from local stores and regional staff, to track the information.
For specific answers on the interpretation of existing or proposed plastic bag legislation, particularly at the city or county level, consider reaching out to the retail trade association in that state that may be tracking the issue. The Council of State Retail Associations has a directory of state associations. RILA also has relationships with state retail association staff and can often make an introduction. Contact for more information.
2. Does RILA have a viewpoint on plastic bag legislation?
Yes, retailers may contact for more information.
3. Is there one type of reusable bag that will fit the requirements of all plastic bag legislation?
The short answer is no. Legislation on consumer bags is set at state and local levels and, as a result, there is no "one size fits all" bag that would meet the requirements of all plastic bag legislation across the United States. While there may be some overlap with common requirements, cities and counties often develop their own unique requirements.
Common specifications for reusable bags that have been passed in plastic bag legislation include:
4. What is the most sustainable type of reusable bag?
There is no one definitive answer to this question. Retailers have noted, while looking for an ideal reusable bag, that the Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of different reusable bag materials (e.g. cotton, canvas, recycled PET, etc.), can vary but that the most important factor may be choosing a bag that consumers are most likely to consistently remember. This makes it hard to determine the most sustainable option for replacing single-use plastic bags.
Moreover, the most sustainable bag material as identified by an LCA may not be the bag consumers are most likely to view as more sustainable, be the least environmentally harmful should it become litter, or be most likely to be properly recycled, depending on local infrastructure.
If reusable bags of a thicker plastic are chosen, companies have noted that the bag benefits from having a clear indication that it is reusable because otherwise consumers may treat it the same as a thin plastic single-use bag.
Retailers are encouraged to consider what factors are driving their reusable bag strategy and their desired outcome to determine the right bags to offer.
5. Are compostable bags a sustainable alternative to plastic bags?
There are significant challenges associated with replacing traditional plastic bags with compostable carry-out bags. Compostable bags often require an industrial-level composting facility and high temperatures to decompose correctly – conditions not available in landfills. Few jurisdictions have these industrial facilities and it can be costly to ship bags to facilities. If compostable bags become litter, they pose the same environmental challenges as traditional plastic bags. And if consumers put compostable bags in with other plastic bags at in-store drop-offs, the compostable material can contaminate film plastic recycling streams.
6. Are paper bags a sustainable alternative to plastic bags?
Paper bags are biodegradable and more practically recyclable than traditional plastic bags. However, producing paper bags requires significant amounts of water, energy and trees. Key elements to the level of sustainability of a paper bag are the sourcing (i.e., from sustainably managed forests and made with recycled content), if the bags are reused, and if they are recycled or composted versus landfilled.
7. Do any closed-loop programs exist for plastic bags?
Closed-Loop recycling refers to the collection of post-consumer waste that is collected, recycled and made into new products. There are several closed-loop programs that have been developed for plastic bags. A few examples include:
8. How do we increase customer use of reusable bags at our retail locations?
One of the most common barriers to customers not using reusable bags is leaving them in the car. Some retailers use 'don't forget your reusable bags'-type signage in key areas of the store (by the entrance, on carts, etc.) in addition to selling them in store. Other tactics include:
The Retail Council of Canada partnered with British Columbia to produce resources to help reduce the distribution of single-use shopping bags.
9. How can I start a plastic bag recycling program?
In some states, legislation requires retailers to take back and recycle plastic bags. Other retailers participate in take-back programs voluntarily to increase waste diversion. One challenge is that plastic film can generally not be mixed with other plastic recycling as it gets caught in the equipment so retailers must find a film recycler to take the material. The Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) has a list of potential recyclers. Plastic film recycling not only includes thin-plastic bags, but other polyethylene (PE) packaging such as:
The American Chemistry Council provides information on how thin plastic material is recycled. Often the plastic material collected through these take-back programs can be recycled into several products, such as small pellets which are used to make new bags, containers, crates, etc. Question 7 provides more information on closed-loop recycling programs.
10. Can all plastic be recycled together?
No. Various plastics are used in the retail space that each have different recyclability, chemical properties and applications. The American Chemistry Council provides an overview of the 7 major plastics that exist, their functionality and use. To determine the recyclability of certain plastics, consult with the local municipal recovery facilities (MRFs) that would handle the material.
Due to growing environmental concerns, most consumers are choosing an eco-friendly bag alternative to conventional plastic bags. Biodegradable shopping bags have emerged as one such option. But what are they really made of? What would be some benefits of using them while shopping? In this blog, we will explore the materials in biodegradable bags and the advantages of choosing them.
Biodegradable garbage bags are convenient bags made with material that can be processed and degraded much faster than regular plastic bags. However, not all biodegradable bags are created equal, and this means that if bag manufacturers want to produce the best bags, they must understand one basic thing—the materials being used.
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The most well-known material used in biodegradable garbage bags is polylactic acid, which is produced from cornstarch. Here’s what you need to know:
Renewable Resource: PLA is derived when plant starch is fermented, usually from corn starch or sugar cary materials. This renewable resource minimizes dependence on fossil fuels.
Compostability: While biodegradable means they can be degraded in any environment, these bags are compostable and can decompose in industrial composting facilities. Under these conditions, it becomes possible to turn PLA into compost that can further nurture the soil.
Limitations: Even though PLA bags are biodegradable, they need a special environment—high temperature, moisture, and time—to degrade, so they cannot be composted at home.
PVA is an additional eco-friendly substance that is useful in making shopping bags. In contrast to conventional plastics, PVA can be dissolved in water and does not harm the environment. It’s necessary to emphasize:
Water-soluble: PVA can dissolve in water. This makes it applicable to some applications, though it is not commonly used for general waste disposal.
Limited Application: Although PVA bags are applicable for specific types of waste streams, they are not commonly used for household waste. Therefore, their total availability may be significantly greater.
Biodegradable shopping bags can be produced from synthetic plastics such as polyethene through additives that promote biodegradability:
Degradation in a Shorter Span of Time: Plastic degrades in a shorter time when such additives are used in the presence of environmental factors like heat, moisture, and light.
Controversy: These bags don’t decompose fully in natural environments and should be more effective. According to some experts, they are still part of microplastic pollution, thwarting their original intended benefits.
Some biodegradable garbage bags are made from recycled plastics mixed with biodegradable polymers:
Sustainability: This approach encourages recycling processes, helping to meet the growing global need for new plastics.
Hybrid Method: These bags strike a perfect equilibrium between usability and sustainability, which is easy to comprehend, especially by environmentally conscious consumers who want to lessen their utility.
Which garbage bags are recyclable is crucial for maximizing waste recycling efficiency. Here’s a basic categorization:
Most conventional plastic garbage bags are produced using low-density polyethene (LDPE), and most of them cannot be recycled by typical curbside collections:
Contamination Problems: These bags will inevitably fill up with leftover food and other content, thus making the entire recycling process complicated.
Limited Recycling Options: Technically recyclable, LDPE is generally only accepted at some recycling centers due to plastic bags‘ tendency to jam the machine.
Biodegradable garbage bags are, in essence, recyclable based on their chemical composition:
PLA and PVA Bags: These bags frequently cannot be recycled through conventional systems. They have been known to sometimes contaminate recycling streams, so it’s best to check what is and isn’t accepted locally.
Additive-Enhanced Bags: These bags are also only sometimes accepted in curbside recycling programs because the plastic additive may interfere with the capacity to recycle the bag.
Some retailers provide particular collection receptacles for recyclable plastic bags, as well as kinds of recyclable bags:
Recheck Local Guidelines: Always look for recycling symbols and follow your local recycling program for responsible disposal.
Retail Drop-Offs: Many supermarkets offer collection points for plastic bags, making it relatively easy to recycle responsibly.
Technically, paper bags are not rubbish bin bags but are recycled and often a greener option:
Compostable: Paper bags will break down naturally and can be composted. Therefore, they can be used for many different things.
Recyclability: They can be gathered and recycled as regular paper, thus promoting the circular economy.
Biodegradable bags are constructed from various materials: cornstarch, PVA, traditional plastics with additives, and recycled content. Though they can be used as a green alternative to conventional plastic bags, their recyclability differs. Most of them can’t be fed into the traditional recycling stream due to the focus on local waste management regulations.
Knowing the materials used in our garbage bags can help us choose better because these materials may affect our environment. We can use biodegradable alternatives and take the correct disposal route to keep the planet clean and free from plastic waste.
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