The conventional plastic bag is the one with the least environmental impacts.
The Frontline Defense against Plastic Bag Bans and Taxes Nationwide
The American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA) represents the U.S. plastic bag manufacturing and recycling industry, which employs nearly 25,000 workers in 40 states. Founded in 2005, the APBA 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 APBA 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.
Plastic bags may get a new life as eco-friendly raw material for playgrounds, construction materials and new plastic bags.
The manufacturing process for paper bags uses 3 times more water and emits 2 times more greenhouse gases than plastic grocery bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes – Plastic bags are 100% reusable and recyclable.
Canvas tote bags need to be reused at least 131 times.
Reusable bags need to be used at least 22 times.
Paper bags need to be reused at least 3 times.
Nearly 30,000 people, directly and indirectly.
No – multiple cities across the country have discovered that plastic bag bans create problems rather than solve them. When consumers are forced to use replacement bags – which are often made of thicker, heavier plastic – that contributes more to waste than the typical plastic grocery bag.
Yes – especially small businesses. Bans can increase costs, making it hard for businesses to comply.
Use our Find My Recycling Center tool to learn where you can recycle your bags.
Your plastic bags may get a new life as eco-friendly raw material for playgrounds, construction materials and new plastic bags.
No – plastic bags are reused by Americans every day. Plastic bags are also 100% recyclable.
Find a Recycling Center
Other ways to get involved:
In the News
Plastic Bag Ban and Tax Will Hurt New Jersey Families
New Jersey politicians are one step closer to passing the nation’s most far-reaching bag ban and tax proposal to date. Included in the extreme legislation is a ban on plastic grocery bags and a minimum 10-cent tax on paper bags. Not only will this proposal fail to meaningfully reduce the state’s litter, it will also unfairly tax low-income families.
Lawmakers Advance Strictest Plastic Bag Ban in Nation
Coverage from Chasing News with Bill Spadea
Don’t Sack the Sack! Plastic Bags Are Actually Better for the Environment
For years, shoppers had a choice: “Paper or plastic?” But in the past decade, plastic shopping bags have fallen out of favor as environmental activists have mounted a “Ban the Bag” campaign. As a result, some cities and states have passed laws to push shoppers to use reusable bags, made from materials like cotton, hemp and polypropylene in lieu of disposable plastic.
