US bag recycling hits record in '06 - trade group

25 March 2008 15:27  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--US plastic bag and film recycling increased significantly in 2006, setting a record, a trade group said on Tuesday.

Recyclers recovered 812.01m lb (386,000 tonnes) of plastic bags and other films in the period, the most recent figures available, according to a report by the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

The figure is up 24% from 652.48m lb, the amount recovered in 2005, the ACC said.

"Working with retailers, recyclers and communities around the country, the ACC is working to promote plastic recycling and drive even higher rates for the future," said Steve Russell, managing director of the council's plastics division. "Plastic bags can be recycled into many valuable products, including durable decking and new bags."

The council expected recycling figures to continue to increase, as more retailers established bag collection programmes, it said.

In addition, California and New York City have adopted bag-recycling mandates, which should also increase recovery volumes.

The ACC is promoting bag recycling programmes as alternatives to outright bans, which are being considered by several US cities and following similar proposals in China and the UK.

By: Al Greenwood
+1 713 525 2653

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