Highland Park, Illinois, votes to adopt program that will bring at-store recycling bins to more of its major retailers; ACC applauds initiative, calls for statewide recycling measure

Graziela Medina Shepnick

WASHINGTON , November 30, 2011 (press release) – This week the Highland Park City Council voted unanimously to adopt a program that will bring at-store recycling bins to more of its major retailers. The program applies to stores larger than 10,000 square feet, which will provide one or more recycling bins in entrance areas with signs to educate consumers about the importance of recycling. The following statement may be attributed to Shari Jackson, director of the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council.

“America’s plastics makers applaud the Highland Park City Council for taking an important first step to broaden opportunities for consumers to recycle their used plastic bags and product wraps. City Council’s efforts emphasize the need for action at the state level to promote recycling and divert this valuable material from the waste stream. We urge the Illinois legislature to follow Highland Park’s lead and join California, New York, Delaware and Rhode Island in implementing statewide legislation to promote recycling of this valuable resource.

“Experience shows that when access and awareness come together, consumers are willing to do their part to recycle. Since 2009, similar programs have helped to deliver more than 855 million pounds of used plastic bags and wraps to recyclers who use this valuable material to create low maintenance decking, durable home building products, new bags and other useful items.

Learn more about recycling used plastic bags and product wraps.

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