"It’s the wild, wild West of product claims and labeling with no sheriff in town,”
Jan Dell, an engineer and founder of The Last Beach Cleanup
The New York Times, September 8, 2021

Plastic waste and pollution are harming the world's ecosystems and economies. Plastic bags and films fill landscapes and contaminate recycling and composting systems, endangering workers, and increasing costs.

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Consumers across the U.S. are deceived by instructions to “Return the plastic bag to a participating store for recycling” or "Store Dropoff" and sent on a wild goose chase with no benefit. Mixed post-consumer plastic film waste is contaminated and worthless.

Few takeback bins exist and there is no proof that collected materials are actually recycled into new products.

California retail stores should stop selling thicker plastic film bag since they are not “recyclable in the state” as required by law  (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 42881). California has existing laws in place to regulate labeling and distribution of plastic bags and films to protect the State’s consumers, environment, and economy. Enforcement of existing laws will benefit Californians and reduce environmental and economic damage.

Commission Website