Facts

Many people don’t realize that plastic shopping bags offer us a type of convenience and efficiency not offered by other bag alternatives. Plastic shopping bags provide consumers with a cost-effective and lightweight method of carrying their purchases.  

The plastics industry takes a cradle-to-the-grave approach to the manufacture of plastic shopping bags in all areas – from material reduction in their manufacture to championing curbside recycling of plastic bags to promoting aggressive anti-litter initiatives.

Why? Because not only does the industry recognize that it has a responsibility, but the industry knows that plastic shopping bags are a valuable resource that can be reused and recycled over and over again. They should not be thrown away. The Canadian plastics industry wants to make sure that Canadians recapture as many unused plastic shopping bags as possible and to recycle them.

Lately, there have been a number of myths and misconceptions circulated about plastic shopping bags. The truth is the Canadian plastics industry has a great track record in product stewardship and environmental responsibility.