COG Recycling Committee, Washington, DC, March 19, 2009 “Controlling Plastic and Paper Bag Pollution” Brenda Platt Institute for Local Self-Reliance Sustainable Plastics Initiative Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative Brenda Platt Institute for Local Self-Reliance Sustainable Plastics Initiative Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative The Scope of the Problem

Plastic Woes  Non-renewable (geological timeframes to produce but consume in 1 to 10 years)  Health impacts (polymers differ)  Generally nonbiodegradable with devastating affects on ocean life  Demand and production skyrocketing  Plastics industry supports more drilling  Recycling and reuse low  Plastics industry supports incineration  Non-renewable (geological timeframes to produce but consume in 1 to 10 years)  Health impacts (polymers differ)  Generally nonbiodegradable with devastating affects on ocean life  Demand and production skyrocketing  Plastics industry supports more drilling  Recycling and reuse low  Plastics industry supports incineration

Nonbiodegradable bioplastics coming

Known Impacts on Marine Life  267 marine species entangled by or ingested plastic  86% of all sea turtle species  44% of all seabird species (over 80 species)  100,000 marine mammals die each year in the North Pacific alone from entanglement  267 marine species entangled by or ingested plastic  86% of all sea turtle species  44% of all seabird species (over 80 species)  100,000 marine mammals die each year in the North Pacific alone from entanglement Source: Captain Charles Moore, Agalita Marine Research Foundation

6 times more plastic than plankton by mass

Source: Captain Charles Moore, Agalita Marine Research Foundation

Plastic bags were found to be main culprit during the 1988 and 1998 floods in Bangladesh

Human Footprint

Plastic Packaging Discarded Thousands of tons Source: US EPA, 2007 data (

Plastic Bags, Sacks & Wraps Discarded Thousands of tons Source: US EPA, 2007 data (

Wasting Trend in U.S.

Wasting connected to ghg  4.6% of global population  Consume one-third of Earth’s timber and paper  Generate 22% of global CO 2 emissions  Produce 30% of world’s waste  4.6% of global population  Consume one-third of Earth’s timber and paper  Generate 22% of global CO 2 emissions  Produce 30% of world’s waste

The Wasteberg For every ton of municipal trash, 71 tons of waste are produced during manufacturing, mining, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, and coal combustion.

Upstream = 71 x MSW Waste

Alternate Path

Proposed Solutions

Keys to Waste Reduction Record-Setters  Accept many materials  Convenience (e.g., curbside, weekly pickup, bins)  Compost  Mandate recycling  Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees  Target all sectors  Augment curbside with drop-off  Educate, educate, educate  Market materials  Accept many materials  Convenience (e.g., curbside, weekly pickup, bins)  Compost  Mandate recycling  Institute pay-as-you-throw trash fees  Target all sectors  Augment curbside with drop-off  Educate, educate, educate  Market materials Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Institutional Framework  Landfill bans  Recycling goals and requirements  Beverage container deposits  Recycled-content laws  Creative funding mechanisms  Buy recycled programs  Pay-as-you-throw trash fees  Landfill bans  Recycling goals and requirements  Beverage container deposits  Recycled-content laws  Creative funding mechanisms  Buy recycled programs  Pay-as-you-throw trash fees Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Changing the rules in San Francisco  75% diversion goal by 2010; zero waste goal by 2020  Bans polystyrene take-out containers  Requires retail bags to be compostable plastic, recyclable paper, or reusable  Bans use of city funds to purchase single-serving bottled water  Will not give a street closure permit for events unless composting collection is in place  Extended producer responsibility (EPR) resolution  75% diversion goal by 2010; zero waste goal by 2020  Bans polystyrene take-out containers  Requires retail bags to be compostable plastic, recyclable paper, or reusable  Bans use of city funds to purchase single-serving bottled water  Will not give a street closure permit for events unless composting collection is in place  Extended producer responsibility (EPR) resolution

Solutions to Plastic Bag Problems  Establish recycling collection bins at large stores  Curbside collection of plastic bags  Bans  Outright ban  Specific stores (supermarkets and pharmacies)  Nonbiodegradable bags  Thin bags  Exceptions for dry cleaners  Imposed if use doesn ’ t decrease by target % ’ s  Fees on paper bags  Levies  Establish recycling collection bins at large stores  Curbside collection of plastic bags  Bans  Outright ban  Specific stores (supermarkets and pharmacies)  Nonbiodegradable bags  Thin bags  Exceptions for dry cleaners  Imposed if use doesn ’ t decrease by target % ’ s  Fees on paper bags  Levies

Communities Banning Plastic Bags Alaska Native Village of Koyuk (2001) Native Village of Ft. Yukon (2003) Louden Tribal Council (1999) Native Village of Tanan Aleut Community of St. Paul Island New Stuyahok Village California San Francisco City and County (2007) City of Oakland (2007) Malibu (2008) Manhattan Beach (2008) City of Los Angeles (2008) Encinitas (2008) Fairfax, Marin County (2008) Other USA Maui County, Hawaii (2008) Westport, CT (2008) International Corsica, France Bhutan Taiwan China Bangladesh Mumbai, Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, India Eritrea Botswana Rwanda Somalia Zanzibar Islands, Tanzania Kenya Uganda Collingwood, New Zealand

Countries & Communities with Per Bag Fees Ireland Taiwan South Africa Malta Italy Belgium Denmark Germany Sweden Israel Victoria, Australia Hong Kong In Progress, Proposed, or Being Studied Seattle, Washington: 20¢ Santa Clara County, CA: 25¢ Pasadena, CA: 25¢ on paper, ban on plastic Toledo, Ohio New York City Washington, DC

Ireland Results  “Outstanding success”  Plastic bags per person decreased from 328 to 21 bags per person  Immediate reduction in plastic bag litter  Reusable “long life” shopping bags have largely replaced disposable plastic bags in the grocery sector  The availability of a viable alternative was a key factor in public acceptance  Irish firms involved in plastic bag related industry show great flexibility in providing reusable bags  91% of those surveyed believe plastic bag levy is a good idea  Bag levy has not led to an increase in plastics landfilled  Any claims that levy has had a negative environmental impact have not been substantiated and are considered heresay  “Outstanding success”  Plastic bags per person decreased from 328 to 21 bags per person  Immediate reduction in plastic bag litter  Reusable “long life” shopping bags have largely replaced disposable plastic bags in the grocery sector  The availability of a viable alternative was a key factor in public acceptance  Irish firms involved in plastic bag related industry show great flexibility in providing reusable bags  91% of those surveyed believe plastic bag levy is a good idea  Bag levy has not led to an increase in plastics landfilled  Any claims that levy has had a negative environmental impact have not been substantiated and are considered heresay

Ireland Results

Other Policy Results Malta  14 euro cents/bag levy introduced in 2005  Amount of plastic bags decreased by 22.5 million  Levy increased to 15 euro cents Nov Taiwan  Restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores charge customers for plastics bags and utensils (2003)  69% drop in use of plastic products  77% cut back on use of plastic bags  71% regularly carry used plastic bags to supermarkets  43% brought their own plastic bag to convenience stores; 40% do not ask for bags at convenience stores  68% support the government’s decision to continue restricting use of plastic bags Malta  14 euro cents/bag levy introduced in 2005  Amount of plastic bags decreased by 22.5 million  Levy increased to 15 euro cents Nov Taiwan  Restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores charge customers for plastics bags and utensils (2003)  69% drop in use of plastic products  77% cut back on use of plastic bags  71% regularly carry used plastic bags to supermarkets  43% brought their own plastic bag to convenience stores; 40% do not ask for bags at convenience stores  68% support the government’s decision to continue restricting use of plastic bags

Other Policy Results South Africa  Levy on plastic bags established in 2004  Portion of revenue collected used to create new joint business ventures and market for recycled material  Use of plastic bags cut in half (from 8 billion to 4 billion a year)  Less plastic bag litter, particularly in poorer areas  Large stores implemented regulations with success  The large supermarket chain, Pick n Pay, has promoted its version of the ‘Green Bag” (5.5 million sold)  It has also designed a 2-tier trolley frame, allowing shoppers to collect and take home groceries in specially designed baskets (no need for a bag) South Africa  Levy on plastic bags established in 2004  Portion of revenue collected used to create new joint business ventures and market for recycled material  Use of plastic bags cut in half (from 8 billion to 4 billion a year)  Less plastic bag litter, particularly in poorer areas  Large stores implemented regulations with success  The large supermarket chain, Pick n Pay, has promoted its version of the ‘Green Bag” (5.5 million sold)  It has also designed a 2-tier trolley frame, allowing shoppers to collect and take home groceries in specially designed baskets (no need for a bag)