US industry targets 40% recycled content in plastic bags

21 April 2009 23:01  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced on Tuesday a US nationwide initiative to increase the recycled content in plastic bags to 40% by 2015.

“This bold move will conserve natural resources, reduce waste and stimulate plastics recycling throughout the nation,” said ACC chief executive Cal Dooley.

The Full Circle Recycling Initiative will aim to incorporate 25% post-consumer recycled content into plastic bags, which will require increased collection efforts by retailers and consumers.

As part of that goal, the Plastic Bag Affiliates of the ACC said the plastic bag industry is expected to spend nearly $50m (€39m) to upgrade manufacturing facilities. Chemical companies in the group include Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, NOVA Chemicals and others.

The recycling programme will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 463m lb/year (210,015 tonnes/year), cut waste by 300m lb/year and conserve enough natural gas to heat 200,000 homes, according to the ACC.

($1 = €0.77)

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By: David Barry
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