For Immediate Release
Release # 2007-107

New York City Council
City Hall, New York, NY 10007
(212) 788-7116

November 5th, 2007

SPEAKER QUINN, CM VALLONE, LAUREN BUSH
STAND IN SUPPORT OF PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING BILL
Unveil Recycling Bins That Would Be Required at NYC Stores

New York, November 5, 2007 - Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. were joined today by Lauren Bush, Whole Foods Market Regional President Christina Minardi, Progressive Bag Alliance Spokesperson David Vermillion, and NY League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Marcia Bystryn in support of a Council bill that would require the recycling of plastic bags at stores throughout New York City. 

The legislation would apply to any store in the City that occupies 5,000 or more square feet and provides plastic carryout bags to consumers.  Speaker Quinn also unveiled samples of the type of collection bins that stores would be required to provide.

Plastic bags do not biodegrade, and instead contaminate soil and waterways and enter the food supply of animals and marine life, causing illness, injury and death.  Americans use an estimated 84 billion plastic bags annually, approximately one billion of them right here in New York City.  In addition, the production of plastic bags worldwide uses over 12 million barrels of oil per year, causing other negative environmental impacts.

"Plastic bags are small, they're light, and they're cheap enough that many of us don't think twice about throwing them away or using a few extra to carry a heavy load," said Speaker Christine Quinn.  "But they clog our waste stream, ending up not just in our landfills, but also in our water and in our soil.  Our legislation is a strong step that will make New York City greener, cleaner and more sustainable."

"Today we unveil the means to a more responsible and clean future," said Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. "These bins will become a fixture of our city that will remind New Yorkers not only to recycle their plastic bags, but to be more environmentally friendly in general."

"I enthusiastically support the Council's legislation, and hope all New Yorkers see the benefits of recycling plastic bags and using reusable shopping bags," said Lauren Bush.

The legislation would require store operators to:

1. Establish an in-store recycling program in which they provide a collection bin for plastic carryout bags in a visible location near the entrance;
2. Stock only plastic bags that have the words "PLEASE RETURN THIS BAG TO A PARTICIPATING STORE FOR RECYCLING" printed on them in letters at least three inches in height;
3. Make available for purchase reusable bags that can be used instead of plastic or paper bags;
4. Submit annual reports to the Department of Sanitation on the amount of plastic bags that are collected, transported and recycled, the costs of these efforts, and any other information required by the Commissioner.

Consumers could return bags to any affected store, regardless of their store of origin.  All non-contaminated bags collected would be required to be recycled, either by sending the bags back to a manufacturer or by working with local contractors.  Recycled bags can be used to produce new bags, as well as a variety of plastic wood and plastic furniture.

In addition, any manufacturer whose plastic bags are distributed to any of these stores must make arrangements with the operator, upon request, for the collection, transport and recycling of these bags.  These manufacturers must also develop educational materials to encourage the reduction, reuse and recycling of plastic bags and provide those materials to stores regulated by this law.

 "We believe companies, like individuals, must assume their share of responsibility as tenants of Planet Earth," said Christina Minardi, Northeast Regional President for Whole Foods Market. "Environmental Stewardship has been a core part of our business for more than 25 years.  We believe that taking simple steps can help save our environment.  We also believe that providing shoppers a drop off point to recycle plastic bags is one of those steps.  We have found that by offering easier places to recycle plastic bags, more shoppers are prone to do so." 

"Plastic bags are 100% recyclable but New York lacks plastic bag recycling for consumers," said Donna Dempsey, spokesperson for the Progressive Bag Alliance.  "At-store recycling programs give customers a way to recycle and provide grocers a new revenue stream.  We look forward to working with the Council to ensure that this program is created in partnership with the grocers and retailers who are the centerpiece of this effort.  Together we can encourage New Yorkers to recycle each bag and 'Bring It Back'."

"Plastic bags create an environmental dilemma that we cannot ignore," said Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "We salute Speaker Christine Quinn, Council Member Vallone and the City Council for taking a practical approach that will help reduce plastics in the city's waste stream, while not unfairly burdening retailers or consumers."

Plastic bag legislation in other states and municipalities has generally been more limited in scope.  For example, the recent ban on plastic bags in San Francisco only affects approximately 50 businesses throughout the city; the Council's legislation is estimated to affect over 700 food stores alone, as well as many other retailers in New York City.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

"The flood of used plastic bags is clogging our streets and natural areas with litter, while causing a serious depletion of natural resources," said Sanitation Committee Chair Michael McMahon.  "Our push towards recycling will help secure a cleaner and greener New York."

"Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags each year. These non-renewable, non-recyclable bags make their way into our waste stream and fill up our landfills," said Environmental Protection Committee Chair James F. Gennaro. "This legislation would drastically reduce the amount of plastic bags taking up this needed space, and improve the health of our environment. Even more importantly, it would increase public awareness of the importance of reducing non-biodegradable waste in our City."

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, "Plastic bags litter our streets, clog our landfills, and create unneeded cost for New Yorkers.  And show me a New Yorker who doesn't have a bundle of plastic bags under his or her sink? This bill is a practical, easy way to help New Yorkers recycle their plastic bags.  It'll keep our streets clean, protect our environment, and save New York taxpayers money."

 "This is legislation that makes environmental and economic sense for New York," said NRDC Urban Program co-director Eric A. Goldstein.  "Plastic bags, which are made from non-renewable petroleum resources, are used for a matter of hours before they are discarded.  But they create environmental burdens that last for hundreds of years."

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