AF&PA Supports Rights of Citizens to Decide California Paper Bag Requirements
WASHINGTON, DC—December 30, 2014—American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Group Vice President Cathy Foley has issued the following statement in response to the submission of signatures supporting a referendum to overturn California Senate Bill 270. The bill regulates single-use carryout bags—both paper and plastic—and was signed into law by Governor Brown last September. If the law goes into effect as planned next year, it will ban single-use plastic bags, impose a 10-cent minimum tax and require onerous post-consumer recycled content criteria on paper bags.
When the signatures are verified, the referendum will suspend SB 270 and appear on the Nov. 8, 2016, state ballot.
“We oppose fees and bans on paper packaging and were disappointed that Governor Brown signed SB 270 into law," Foley stated. "Paper bags are made from a renewable resource, are 100 percent recyclable and have a high recovery rate compared to bags made from competing materials. Taxing them implies that they are part of the environmental problem."
"Paper bags are a sustainable packaging option for consumers and we support Californians’ right to make the final decision on SB 270," said Foley.
About American Forest & Paper Association
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures approximately $210 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.
Source: American Forest & Paper Assoc.