SPI Applauds Rejection of “Bag Ban Bill”

The California State Senate refused passage of Assembly Bill 1998, otherwise known as the “Bag Ban Bill,” by a vote of 21 to 14 Aug. 31.

The bill passed the California Assembly in June and had the support of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Under the bill, California’s at-store recycling program would have been repealed, prohibiting grocery, convenience and other specified stores from offering free plastic bags to its customers. Instead, the bill would have required these stores to provide re-usable bags or recycled paper bags at a “reasonable cost.” 

In a statement, William R. Carteaux, president and CEO of SPI: The Plastic Industry Trade Association, writes, “On behalf of the U.S. plastics industry and SPI’s member companies, I want to commend the members of California’s Senate for their wise decision to reject AB 1998. Given the current condition of California’s economy, the nation’s economy and the financial challenges facing the plastics industry, this bill was certainly not the answer.” He adds, “This bill could have resulted in as much as $1 billion in new taxes as well as increases in the amount of solid waste, greenhouse gas emissions and job losses throughout the state.”

Carteaux’ statement also expresses thanks to SPI members in California, their customers and suppliers for helping to educate Senate members as to why the A.B. 1998 “was not a workable solution to the state’s litter problem and would only divert attention from other critical issues—the state’s tremendous budget deficit and a skyrocketing unemployment situation.” 

Carteaux’ statement concludes, “While plastic grocery-type bags comprise only a small fraction of total street litter, the plastics industry recognizes that more can be done to address environmental concerns and we stand ready to work with lawmakers and retailers to increase the reach and effectiveness of recycling programs and find other solutions that both reduce litter and benefit the economy.”

SPI is the plastics industry trade association. SPI's member companies represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers.