RE: [GRRN] plastic bags - let's have some shared responsibility

[Mark Kidd <Mark_Kidd@co.washington.or.us>]

Anne,
Great idea and here's more info to help justify marketability...

Trex Company Wants Your Used Stretch Film and Plastic Grocery Sacks! Why pay
high disposal costs and landfill fees? You can be a "film star" by
generating income for your company. Trex Company of Winchester, VA, pays $60
- $120 per ton for used PE film on a regular basis and pays the freight. We
will also match any competitive offer for materials that meet our
specifications. Trex Co. turns your stretch film (mixed with waste wood)
into an exciting new decking product called Trex Easy Care Decking. Help the
environment, generate income and save on disposal costs today! FOR RECYCLING
INFORMATION ONLY,  Call 1-877-319-9795.  For more information about Trex
Easy Care Decking, call 1-800-BUY-TREX.	



> ----------
> From: 	Anne Morse[SMTP:AMorse@Co.Winona.MN.US]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, May 30, 2001 12:13 PM
> To: 	multiple recipients of
> Subject: 	[GRRN] plastic bags - let's have some shared responsibility
> 
> After thirteen years of working hard to improve our recycling programs, I
> am
> the most frustrated with the ubiquitous plastic bags!  In addition to
> showing up in our roadsides where they stay forever, they also appear
> consistently in our curbside program, and are a significant contaminant
> therein. Despite the fact that precious few get recycled, they even carry
> a
> recycling logo! Enough is enough, we have simply got to improve upon our
> current system for film plastic.  
> 
> To that end, I offer a simple position:  every store that uses plastic
> bags
> in which to pack their goods should also accept them back for recycling. 
> 
> This is, of course, the fairest method of handling the bags.  If they are
> used at retail because they are so cheap and easy, then the same retailer
> should also bear the burden of handling them on the other end. They may
> well
> find that the reuse and recycling options are not quite as cheap and easy.
> 
> 
> The grocers and retailers can easily aggregate the used bags with a bin at
> the front door, as some already do.  Then, they can be backhauled on the
> same trucks that bring the products to their door.
> 
> These retailers are also the only players in the whole system that have
> any
> real leverage to ensure that the bags are recycled, because they can tell
> the supplier of the bags that they won't be buying their bags unless they
> also take bags back for recycling.  
> 
> What do you say, shall we make a start?
> 
> 
> Anne Morse
> Winona County Environmental Services
> 225 W 2nd St.
> Winona, MN  55987
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: GW K [mailto:simplyorganic@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 2:00 PM
> To: multiple recipients of
> Cc: GreenYes
> Subject: RE: plastic bags - Buy a reusable cloth bag and refuse plastic
> ba gs!
> 
> 
> Mark,
> Unfortunetly in my case the problem isn't solved.  I
> do use cloth bags and reuse plastics for wet items.
> the main culprit in my world is organic frozen
> vegetable bags, some companys use paper bags which I
> can and do compost.  Long term, if no solution, I will
> have to eliminate Cascadin Farms products but at this
> point that is not viable for me.  
> 
> To GRRN folks.....What fun!!!!!  Thank you for all the
> responses...SOOO nice to be able to share with you
> all.
> 
> 
> :)
> Glen Koch
> Seattle, Wa
> 
> 
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