The conventional plastic bag is the one with the least environmental impacts.
The Frontline Defense Against Plastic Bag Bans and Taxes Nationwide
The American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance (ARPBA) represents the U.S. plastic bag manufacturing and recycling industry, which employs thousands of workers in 40 states. Founded in 2005, the ARPBA proactively promotes product lines and leads numerous public policy initiatives that serve as the frontline defense against plastic bag bans and taxes nationwide.
With the support of the industry’s workers, the ARPBA promotes American-made plastic products that are the smartest, most environmentally friendly choice at the checkout counter for both retailers and consumers.
Once disposed, reusable bags take up to 9.3% more space than plastic bags in landfills.
The manufacturing process for paper bags uses 3 times more water and emits 2 times more greenhouse gases than plastic grocery bags.
A canvas tote bag needs to be reused at least 131 times to have a lower impact than a plastic bag used once.
Find a Recycling Center
Other ways to get involved:
In the News
Bag ban would hurt small businesses
Earlier this month, the Colorado House took the first step toward banning plastic carryout bags and expanded polystyrene foam food service containers statewide with HB1162. ARPBA Director Zachary Taylor recently penned an op-ed arguing that if the Senate follows suit, this flawed bill will ratchet up additional pressure on the struggling small businesses and vulnerable families that America’s plodding economic recovery risks leaving further behind.
Rhode Island’s bag ban misses the mark
ARPBA Director Zachary Taylor recently penned an op-ed on Rhode Island’s proposed plastic bag ban. By mandating that reusable bags have “stitched handles,” Rhode Island lawmakers hope to eliminate plastic bag usage in the Ocean State and push consumers toward what they believe is a more sustainable carryout bag option. However, more often than not, reusable bags with stitched handles—like the ones commonly available for 99 cents or $1.99 near the checkout area at grocery and retail stores—are in fact made from plastic and are not recyclable anywhere in the United States. Additionally, the vast majority of these bags are imported from overseas.
Op-ed: Colorado’s bag ban misses the mark due to stitched handles requirement
ARPBA Director Zachary Taylor recently penned an op-ed in the Pueblo Chieftain outlining how Colorado’s proposed plastic bag ban misses the mark. The provision to only allow bags with “stitched handles” means that Coloradoans will swap out their American-made, 100%-recyclable plastic grocery bags for more expensive, imported reusable bags that cannot be recycled anywhere in the United States. Also, due to ongoing shortages of both paper bags and reusable bags, costs have skyrocketed. Ultimately, these costs will get passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices. Colorado lawmakers should define a reusable bag based on use and durability, not simply aesthetic qualities.
