My understanding of this situation, in CA anyway, is that 1) it is
difficult to prove that the bags are being recycled at all and not
thrown away; 2) if they do recycle them, it is very costly because of
the time it takes for sorting and processing: Any food debris is a
contaminant. Consumers are not good about removing contaminants before
recycling. Consumers drop off all of their plastic bags, not just the
ones generated from the store offering the program--not all plastic bags
are made out of the same polymer and are not compatible for processing
together. 3) I know that there have been a number of people who have
spotted plastic bags from the store recycling bins in the dumpsters
behind the stores.
But my information is hearsay. I know there are people out there who may
have more direct information for you. The company I work for collects
and market film plastic from post-industrial uses -- we experience the
same sorts of problems with commingling of polymers and contamination.
Myra Nissen
The Sutta Co.
1221 Third St.
Oakland, CA 94607
myracycl@inreach.com
http://www.sutta.com
Jeff Surfus wrote:
>
> Greenyes readers:
>
> I know this has been discussed before, but I am writing an article about
> this problem so I need some info if anyone can provide it.
>
> Recently, the recycling stations here in Southeast Michigan have stopped
> accepting any plastic shopping bags. The grocery stores used to have bins
> where empties could be dropped off for recycling. All of this has
stopped.
> When questioned about this, the standard line the grocery stores or
> recycling center operators use is that there is no recycling market for
> these bags anymore.
>
> My questions are:
>
> Why has the market dried up (or was there ever a market to begin with)?
> Once again, have we been sold a bill of goods by the plastics industry as
to
> the recylability of these bags?
>
> What can be done with these bags, short of throwing them away, or saving
and
> reusing them over and over?
>
> The bottom line is what can the everyday consumer do with these bags?
> Unless it can be made really easy for consumers to recycle (e.g. a drop
off
> bin right inside the grocery store), they are going to throw the bags
away.
>
> Any thoughts or ideas?
>
> Jeff Surfus
>
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======== Fwd by: Megan Fleming ========
Isn't it just easier to ask for paper, rather than plastic? Aside from the
convenient handle attached to plastic bags, aren't there better markets for
paper bags? And if they do get tossed in the garbage, don't they biodegrade
better?
Megan Fleming