RRA spokesperson discusses proposed California bills

The Responsible Recycling Alliance (RRA), a coalition of California-based recyclers and manufacturers EFS Plastics, Merlin Plastics and PreZero US, has shared an interview with Roxanne Spiekerman, RRA spokesperson and vice president of public affairs for PreZero US.

In the interview posted to the organization’s website, Spiekerman details how a pair of bills currently pending in the California State Legislature—AB 2236 and SB 1053—take the wrong approach for environmental protection, grocers and consumers, and why California needs to construct a better sustainable plastic recycling solution.

“The current twin bills are not the answer," Spiekerman says. "The better way forward is for our elected representatives to heed the need of Californians, work with consumers, grocers, as well as the plastic film manufacturers and recyclers to develop the right solution that can be introduced in 2025.

“We need to take a step back and recognize that we need to work together to develop and enact an overall solution that protects the environment, grocers and consumers at the same time. It can be done. We at the RRA are eager to be a part of this solution.”

Proposed by state Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and state Sens. Catherine Blakespear and Ben Allen in February, AB 2236 and SB 1053, if enacted, would eliminate the option to receive an unwoven plastic bag at grocery stores, retail locations that include grocery and convenience stores by 2026. The twin bills have received support from a number of organizations, including the California Grocers Association.

At the time of the bills’ proposal, a news release issued by Bauer-Kahan’s office said AB 2236 and SB 1053 substantiated California’s environmental agenda by fortifying regulations on the use of plastic bags, and that the legislation would close loopholes and ensure a quick transition to sustainable alternatives such as paper and reusable bags.

“We want [our state legislators] to understand that the enormous amount of plastic film and packaging that are used to keep food fresh and safe—among many other uses—should be part of the ultimate circularity solution," Spiekerman says. "Keeping that material out of landfills and, instead, adding it to the volume needed to make recycling work, is absolutely the right way to go.

“The most effective and practical answer is to treat all plastic film bags the same as we would other items under 2022’s comprehensive extended producer responsibility SB 54 and find a viable solution for recycling."

The RRA was formed to help California reduce, reuse and recycle plastic across the state through effective education and legislation.