ISRI Calls for Minimum Recycled Content in Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Several organizations that are part of The Recycle More Bags coalition, including the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) have called for urgent legislative action by governments in order to ensure that plastic bags contain at least 20% postconsumer recycled content by 2025.

Robin Wiener, President, ISRI noted that creation of incentives for minimum recycled content will result in increased plastic recycling rates. Furthermore, it will also ensure that plastic bags are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

The Recycle More Bags coalition noted that the export of plastic bags and similar products such as plastic wraps from the U.S. and Canada to China and several other Southeast Asian countries have dried up following imposition of stricter import policy by these countries. As of today, the North American recycling industry is more dependent on domestic plastic film recycling end markets.

ALSO READ: Fresh EU Directive to Tackle Single-Use Plastics Pollution

A recent study conducted by California-based More Recycling says that there has been notable increase in the number of bags and wrap collected through store recycling programs. However, that growth is likely to slow or reverse if the dynamics in the marketplace continue. Further, it highlights the importance of using recycled resins in new products so as to reduce plastic pollution.

If all plastic bags sold in the U.S. and Canada included 20% recycled content, it would result in savings of nearly 353,000 tons per year of carbon emissions.