New Poll Finds Bipartisan Support For A More Sustainable Solution To Recycle Plastic Bags In California
2024年7月1日 - 11:00PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
A strong majority of almost 60 percent of Californians favor
taking a better approach to the current legislative proposals that
would ban reusable plastic film grocery bags and cripple the
industry’s ability to recycle them, according to a new poll
conducted by John Zogby Strategies, the Responsible Recycling
Alliance (RRA) announced today.
The survey of 802 likely California voters (99% of whom actively
recycle), with a sampling error of +/- 3.5 points, found that
voters oppose AB 2236 and SB 1053, two bills pending in the State
Legislature that would eliminate the convenient recyclable plastic
film grocery bags that millions of Californians use – and reuse –
every day. They support instead shifting responsibility to the
plastic film recyclers and reusable plastic film grocery bag
recyclers by integrating them into the Plastic Pollution Prevention
and Packaging Producer Responsibility Program created in 2022 by SB
54.
“We all agree with the paramount importance of the need to
reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste across California – and as
the intensity of these results makes clear, there is strong
bipartisan agreement that the sustainable solution Californians
desire can be achieved with a simple amendment,” Roxanne
Spiekerman, Vice President of Public Affairs for PreZero US, said
on behalf of the RRA. “As currently written, AB 2236 and its
companion SB 1053 are anti-environmental bills. With their
elimination of reusable plastic film grocery bags, these bills
narrow consumer choice to two options: either non-recyclable,
imported canvas and sewn poly-woven or non-woven polypropylene bags
or paper bags, both of which carry with them negative environmental
challenges when compared to plastic film bags. Coupled with the
loss of thousands of jobs and burdening Californians with an even
higher grocery bill when they’re forced to pay more for bags, the
impact of these bills will resonate across the state for years to
come.”
With similar results across all political parties, ages, and
other demographics, the poll found that California voters become
even more opposed to the current legislation as they learn more
about them. Specifically, the poll found that Californians are:
- 56% less likely to support (with 37% of them much less likely
to support) the current proposal once they learn that the imported
canvas and sewn poly-woven or non-woven polypropylene bags can
never be recycled and can only be disposed of in a landfill.
- 51% less likely to support (with 32% much less likely to
support) the current proposals once they learn that it would result
in a substantially worse carbon footprint because of what it takes
to make and recycle paper bags.
- 49% less likely to support (with 34% much less likely to
support) the current proposal once they learn that it would
actually hurt the environment more than it helps.
- 53% less likely to support (with 33% much less likely to
support) the current proposal once they learn that they will have
to pay more for imported canvas and sewn polypropylene bags or
paper bags.
Ms. Spiekerman added: “Together, these proposals will hit those
who can’t afford it the hardest. Middle- and lower-income
Californians are among the most prevalent users of the current 10
cent plastic bags. Indeed, 77% of purchasers have annual incomes of
less than $150,000, and 52% make less than $80,000 a year. While
these groups are also the most likely to reuse these bags, these
bills would take away this option. Small grocers will have to
purchase paper bags at close to cost as well.”
Importantly, 85% of those surveyed use plastic film bags, with
94% reusing them for a variety of purposes, including:
- 66% – For another trip to the grocery store
- 51% – To store things around the house
- 49% – To carry dirty shoes and soiled clothing
- 47% – As an easy way to collect plastics dropped off for
recycling
- 44% – For in-car garbage bags
The poll was conducted May 6-7, 2024.
To learn more about AB 2236 and SB 1053 and their harmful
impacts on California and the environment, please visit
Responsible-Recycling.org.
About Responsible Recycling Alliance
The Responsible Recycling Alliance (RRA), a coalition of three
prominent California recyclers and manufacturers – EFS Plastics,
Merlin Plastics, and PreZero US – was formed to help California
reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste across the state through
effective education and legislation.
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