Opinion

Plastic bag recycling plunges in S.A.

The city of San Antonio hasn’t banned or restricted the use of plastic bags, but it has encouraged recycling them. This shows how do to it: stuff the bags into one bag until that reaches the size of a soccer ball, make a knot with the handles and place it in the blue recycling bin for pickup. less The city of San Antonio hasn’t banned or restricted the use of plastic bags, but it has encouraged recycling them. This shows how do to it: stuff the bags into one bag until that reaches the size of a soccer ... more Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Plastic bag recycling plunges in S.A. 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

When the city of San Antonio launched its residential plastic bag recycling program two years ago, the message was to wad up plastic bags the size of a soccer ball.

Instead, it looks like San Antonians are dropping the ball.

After a strong start, plastic bag recycling here has plunged, city data show. In fiscal 2015, October through September, more than 550 tons of plastic bags were recycled. But fiscal 2016 was nowhere near that pace. Between October and August, a mere 152 tons of plastic bags were recycled.

What happened, San Antonio?

David McCary, who directs the city’s Solid Waste Management Department, offered two possible dynamics. The strong start reflected a willingness to try and recycle any and all types of plastic bags, he said, boosting the early numbers. But as time has gone on, fewer and fewer people have continued to wad up their plastic bags into the size of a soccer ball, making the numbers plunge.

Instead, many people are placing individual bags into the recycling, which can’t be recycled. Why? Because they gum up the machinery. McCary said the city is planning a new marketing campaign to get people back into the habit of recycling their plastic bags.

So, as a refresher, here are the plastic bag recycling basics:

The bags must be dry and empty. No receipts.

Dark colored bags can’t be recycled.

Wad the bags up to the size of a soccer ball, tie the handles, and put them in your recycling bin. Pat yourself on the back. If you do this, you’ll be helping the environment, keeping our beautiful city clean and helping to make local government efficient.

The struggles of the recycling program will no doubt lead to renewed calls for a plastic bag ban. This is a sensitive issue because plastic bag bans usually fuel talk at the state level of banning plastic bag bans.

Our view is a bit nuanced on this. A plastic bag ban is a local control issue. Some communities want to ban plastic bags, and others do not. We think this should be honored and respected.

We also think sticking with the recycling program is the right move for this community. A ban would be harmful to consumers and retailers. In addition to recycling, we also support continued education about reusing cloth bags as a plastic bag alternative. There are ways to cultivate change without a ban.

That said, the Texas Legislature will soon be back in session, which likely means another push to ban plastic bag bans. If you believe in local control, this is a no-go. Besides, if Texas bans plastic bag bans, then the Environmental Protection Agency will have to issue a new rule banning states from banning cities from banning plastic bags.

We’re kidding. Sort of.

The bottom line: When possible, recycle plastic bags by clumping them together in the size of a soccer ball. Stay beautiful, San Antonio.