Technological watch
Proposed California Ballot Initiative Unnecessary
SACRAMENTO (November 11, 2019)—A far-reaching ballot initiative (“California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act of 2020”) was filed in California last week. The American Chemistry Council responded with the following statement, which may be attributed to Tim Shestek, senior director of state affairs in Sacramento:
“The California Legislature spent the better part of 2019 working with a variety of stakeholders to craft landmark legislation (SB 54/AB 1080) that would set unprecedented collection, recovery and waste reduction rates for single-use packaging. Last week’s proposed ballot initiative is unnecessary and could divert resources and energy away from realizing a true circular economy in California.
“Lawmakers are expected to resume finalizing both bills when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Unfortunately, this ballot initiative only serves as a distraction from that effort.
“Plastics makers are committed to helping create a circular economy and ending plastic waste in the environment. ACC will continue to work with lawmakers and stakeholders on SB 54 and AB 1080.
“Additionally, we’ve set goals intended to make all plastic packaging recyclable or recoverable by 2030 and for all plastic packaging to be recycled or recovered by 2040. Our members are contributing to innovations, systems and programs that are enabling more circular systems for how we use plastics, so that what we once thought of as “waste,” can be treated as valuable resources for tomorrow’s manufacturing.
“In addition, companies that make, use and recycle plastics have formed the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, through which they’ve committed over $1 billion over the next five years to help fund – and encourage additional investments in – solutions to capture and reuse our plastic resources to benefit communities and society.
“The California Legislature spent the better part of 2019 working with a variety of stakeholders to craft landmark legislation (SB 54/AB 1080) that would set unprecedented collection, recovery and waste reduction rates for single-use packaging. Last week’s proposed ballot initiative is unnecessary and could divert resources and energy away from realizing a true circular economy in California.
“Lawmakers are expected to resume finalizing both bills when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Unfortunately, this ballot initiative only serves as a distraction from that effort.
“Plastics makers are committed to helping create a circular economy and ending plastic waste in the environment. ACC will continue to work with lawmakers and stakeholders on SB 54 and AB 1080.
“Additionally, we’ve set goals intended to make all plastic packaging recyclable or recoverable by 2030 and for all plastic packaging to be recycled or recovered by 2040. Our members are contributing to innovations, systems and programs that are enabling more circular systems for how we use plastics, so that what we once thought of as “waste,” can be treated as valuable resources for tomorrow’s manufacturing.
“In addition, companies that make, use and recycle plastics have formed the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, through which they’ve committed over $1 billion over the next five years to help fund – and encourage additional investments in – solutions to capture and reuse our plastic resources to benefit communities and society.
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