11.24.14
California Governor Jerry Brown September 30 signed SB270 into law, making California the first state to ban single-use plastic bags. The state assembly had approved the ban earlier in September.
According to INDA director of government affairs Jessica Franken, the measure prohibits single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and large pharmacies beginning July 1, 2015 and at convenience stores starting in 2016. The California measure allows grocers to charge 10 cents each for paper and reusable bags. It also includes $2 million in loans to help manufacturers shift to the new model.
A national coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately said it would seek a voter referendum to repeal the law. The plastic bag industry has begun spending heavily to collect the more than 500,000 signatures that it needs by December 29 to put the matter on the November 2016 ballot.
Assuming implementation of the law moves forward unencumbered, it is expected to create new opportunities for the makers of nonwoven reusable bags. Acording to statistics provided by INDA, there are about 300 manufacturers of nonwoven carrier bags in China. These bags are made from spunbond polyrpropylene, which offers high strength, low cost and can be converted using a low-cost heat sealing method. INDA estimates the market size to be about 3.87 billion square meters, growing about 7% per year.
According to INDA director of government affairs Jessica Franken, the measure prohibits single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and large pharmacies beginning July 1, 2015 and at convenience stores starting in 2016. The California measure allows grocers to charge 10 cents each for paper and reusable bags. It also includes $2 million in loans to help manufacturers shift to the new model.
lready many localities, including over 100 in California, has adopted similar bans in recent years, and many cities across the nation, including New York City, have similar legislation under consideration. These laws have shifted from taxing the use of plastic bags to banning them entirely. The California measure allows grocers to charge 10 cents each for paper and reusable bags and includes $2 million in loans to help manufacturers shift to the new model. The California ruling still requires the signature of Governor Jerry Brown, but if his enivoronmental track record is any indication, chances are good that the bill will become law. As additional localities and states focus on banning the use of plastic bags, which create unnecessary waste and litter, the market for reusable bags, many of which are made from nonwovens, will continue to grow. According to statistics provided by INDA, there are about 300 manufacturers of nonwoven carrier bags in China. These bags are made from spunbond polypropylene, which offers high strength, low cost and can be converted using a low-cost heat sealing method and printed easily. INDA estimates the market size to be about 3.87 billion square meters, growing about 7% per year. But low-cost, Chinese-made spunbond is not the only nonwoven penetrating this market. In recent years, DuPont has applied its flashspun Tyvek nonwovens to the carrier bag market, as well. Created through a partnership with Earthwise brand, Tyvek shopping bags are being billed as the first 100% biodegradable and compostable bag on the market. According to Earthwise, Tyvek bags have been tested to hold up to 65 pounds, are machine washable and dryable and can easily be printed. - See more at: http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/contents/view_online-exclusives/2014-09-18/california-assembly-approves-single-use-bag-ban/#sthash.mvh0y9xT.dpuf
The bill has been described as one of the most contentious during the last legislative session--supported by environmental groups in an effort to reduce litter on the streets and beaches and opposed by plastic bag-makers and some Republican lawmakers.
lready many localities, including over 100 in California, has adopted similar bans in recent years, and many cities across the nation, including New York City, have similar legislation under consideration. These laws have shifted from taxing the use of plastic bags to banning them entirely. The California measure allows grocers to charge 10 cents each for paper and reusable bags and includes $2 million in loans to help manufacturers shift to the new model. The California ruling still requires the signature of Governor Jerry Brown, but if his enivoronmental track record is any indication, chances are good that the bill will become law. As additional localities and states focus on banning the use of plastic bags, which create unnecessary waste and litter, the market for reusable bags, many of which are made from nonwovens, will continue to grow. According to statistics provided by INDA, there are about 300 manufacturers of nonwoven carrier bags in China. These bags are made from spunbond polypropylene, which offers high strength, low cost and can be converted using a low-cost heat sealing method and printed easily. INDA estimates the market size to be about 3.87 billion square meters, growing about 7% per year. But low-cost, Chinese-made spunbond is not the only nonwoven penetrating this market. In recent years, DuPont has applied its flashspun Tyvek nonwovens to the carrier bag market, as well. Created through a partnership with Earthwise brand, Tyvek shopping bags are being billed as the first 100% biodegradable and compostable bag on the market. According to Earthwise, Tyvek bags have been tested to hold up to 65 pounds, are machine washable and dryable and can easily be printed. - See more at: http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/contents/view_online-exclusives/2014-09-18/california-assembly-approves-single-use-bag-ban/#sthash.mvh0y9xT.dpuf
Even before the ban, more than 100 localities in California, as well as many in other states, had already adopted similar bans. These bans range in scope, from taxing the use of the bags to all out banning them.A national coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately said it would seek a voter referendum to repeal the law. The plastic bag industry has begun spending heavily to collect the more than 500,000 signatures that it needs by December 29 to put the matter on the November 2016 ballot.
Assuming implementation of the law moves forward unencumbered, it is expected to create new opportunities for the makers of nonwoven reusable bags. Acording to statistics provided by INDA, there are about 300 manufacturers of nonwoven carrier bags in China. These bags are made from spunbond polyrpropylene, which offers high strength, low cost and can be converted using a low-cost heat sealing method. INDA estimates the market size to be about 3.87 billion square meters, growing about 7% per year.