Consumables

SaveThePlasticBag.com: At Least 4,000 American Jobs Will be Lost if Plastic Bags are Taxed or Banned

Friday 01. August 2008 - SaveThePlasticBag.com is a newly formed coalition of businesses and citizens. The coalition seeks to counter the one-sided myths, misinformation and gross exaggerations circulating on the Internet and in the media that have resulted in plastic bags being unfairly stigmatized.

According to an editorial in the London Times:

“Many of those who have demonized plastic bags have enlisted scientific study to their cause. By exaggerating a grain of truth into a larger falsehood they spread misinformation, and abuse the trust of their unwitting audiences.”

The coalition has launched an information website to respond to the misinformation.

An American success story

85% of plastic bags used in the United States are manufactured in the United States. Taxing or banning plastic carryout bags will result in the direct loss of approximately 4,000 American jobs. In addition, there will be thousands of resin and distribution company job losses. Many struggling families will be badly affected at a difficult time in our economy.

Destroying an American manufacturing industry based on myths and misinformation is irresponsible, absurd, and tragic. The coalition asks politicians to think carefully about the human cost of voting for a plastic bag tax or ban.

Imported reusable bags

SaveThePlasticBag.com has determined that most reusable bags are imported. For example, Whole Foods and Safeway reusable bags are made in China. Trader Joe’s reusable bags are made in China and Bangladesh.

It is unconscionable to eliminate an American industry in favor of imports.