Under exisiting law, plastic containers must have 10% recycled content,
with an exemption for food, beverage, drug and cosmetic containers
regulated by the US Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act, unless the FDA
has approved the use of recycled content.
The new legislation does four things:
1. It requires recycled content levels of 10% by 2001, 20% by 2003
and 25% by 2005.
2. It requires that the recycled material be post-consumer
3. It changes the exemption to only cover those situations where
the FDA prohibits the use of recycled content.
4. It provides a $200 fine per violation. Each container would be a
separate violation.
Wisconsin has similar legislation for recycled content for newspapers,
and this legislation is seen by many as part of the reason for increased
ONP markets. With the increasing quantity of plastics in our recycling
programs, their high cost of collection and processing, and the shaky
markets, legislators are interested in helping in providing more stable
markets for local recycling programs. And similar to the joint efforts of
states on recycled content for newspapers, we look forward to joint
efforts by the states on recycled content for plastic containers.
A copy of the bill (AB372) can be accessed from the web page
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
John Reindl, Recycling Manager
Dane County, WI
reindl@co.dane.wi.us
(608)267-1533 - fax
(608)267-8815 - phone