Progressive Bag Affiliates of the ACC Applauds New Innovative Bag Recycling Programs

New York, NY, October 22, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Progressive Bag Affiliates (PBA) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) applauds the efforts of Penn Jersey Paper Company and Poly-Pak Industries in making it easier for Americans to recycle plastic bags. The two companies have recently launched innovative programs that provide end-to-end recycling infrastructure to facilitate plastic bag recycling. The new programs are indicators of increased demand for plastic bag recycling infrastructure and more evidence of a growing trend toward bag recycling across the nation.

"The private sector recognizes the opportunity that plastic bag recycling offers both as a product offering and through the sale of recycled plastic in the secondary market," said Steve Russell, managing director for ACC’s Plastics Division. "The markets for these materials clearly show that plastics are too valuable a resource to waste and should be recycled. We encourage more of this."

"The innovative programs developed by Penn Jersey and PolyPak are two examples of how the entrepreneurial spirit is generating creative, environmentally responsible solutions in the marketplace. As this recycling trend gains momentum, the PBA will continue to support the efforts of companies to make plastic bag recycling a reality for every community," Russell said.

Penn Jersey’s "BagSmart™" program is a partnership with Goodwill Industries and Trex Company that provides food retailers with a complete system to recycle bags. Penn Jersey provides recycling bins, signage and advertising support for participating stores. Consumers recycle the bags, Goodwill and its employees pick up and bale the plastic, and Trex recycles the plastic into new products. Penn Jersey also offers a line of reusable tote bags. The program is already operating in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, with plans to deploy in New York in March 2008.

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