I take my single-use plastic bags back to the grocery store to discard in established recycle bins. Is this considered a proper disposal method?

No. The reality is that approximately 3-10 % of bags placed in recycle bins are actually recycled.  The reason is that it is far cheaper to create a new single-use plastic bag than to recycle it. The ready supply of fracking gas used to manufacture plastic bags makes virgin plastic cheaper and more readily available than recycled plastic bags.

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1. What are the key reasons behind the Township’s ban on single-use plastic bags and straws?
2. When does the ban go into effect?
3. Which businesses does this affect?
4. What is actually banned?
5. What kind of bags can businesses provide?
6. Does the 40 % recycled content rule apply to all paper bags?
7. Are there any exemptions?
8. What are the signage requirements?
9. Do I have to get rid of my existing stock of plastic bags?
10. Can businesses charge customers for bags?
11. What are the fines for non-compliance?
12. What is the financial cost of this ban to taxpayers?
13. Would a fee or tax on single-use bags have the same effect as a ban?
14. Why don’t retailers and businesses convert to biodegradable plastic bags?
15. Milk, produce, meat, and cold products need plastic bags to protect them from sweating. Will I still be able to get plastic bags for these items?
16. I take my single-use plastic bags back to the grocery store to discard in established recycle bins. Is this considered a proper disposal method?