Statement From Hilex Poly Regarding Testimony of Mark Daniels Before Washington Senate

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier today, Mark Daniels, Vice President of Sustainability & Environmental Policy for Hilex Poly, testified before the Washington Senate Committee on Environment regarding Senate Bill 5780, which would ban plastic bags.  Hilex Poly is a leading U.S. manufacturer of plastic bags and the largest closed-looped recycler of plastic bags, wraps and films.

Mr. Daniels released the following statement:

"Washington residents interested in reducing litter and protecting the environment would be far better served supporting a statewide recycling program rather than an all-out ban on retail plastic carry-out bags, a policy which will only push consumers to alternatives that are less sustainable, not more. The truth is banning one product that makes only one to two percent of litter will have no meaningful impact on litter. Instead, it will result in forcing consumers to use products such as reusable bags, which are mostly imported from China, made from foreign oil and are not recyclable, or to use paper bags, which have a larger carbon footprint than plastic bags.

"There is a better way. According to EPA data, plastic bag recycling increased 24 percent between 2009 and 2010 nationwide. Washington has the opportunity to show real environmental leadership and enact a comprehensive recycling plan that actually reduces litter, saves American jobs and protects consumer choice."

SOURCE Hilex Poly