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Paper Recycling March 28, 2019 01:00:40 PM

AF&PA Condemns New York's Paper Bag Fee Proposal

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
The statement noted that the move to impose tax on paper carryout bags is regressive.

AF&PA Condemns New York's Paper Bag Fee Proposal

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) has raised strong opposition to the proposed tax on paper carry bags to be included in the New York State budget. Donna Harman, AF&PA President and CEO, has issued a statement in opposition to the proposal.

The statement noted that the move to impose tax on paper carryout bags is regressive, as it penalizes a product that is completely recyclable, compostable and reusable. These bags made of recycled materials are processed easily at MRFs, it said. A mandatory state-required fee is likely to result in elevated shopping costs and is feared to impact low-income New Yorkers, AF&PA noted.

According to AF&PA, paper bags cause minimal environmental concerns as they are made from trees and recovered paper. For each tree that is harvested, an equal or more number of trees gets planted. Moreover, well-managed forests provide environmental, social and economic benefits to American communities.

Also, paper has proved to be the most-recycled material in the country. Nearly 65.8% of all paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2017. Official figures indicate that the paper recovery rate has not fallen below 63% for the past nine years. In fact, the total paper by weight recovered from municipal solid waste streams exceeds the combined weight of glass, plastic and aluminum.

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