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AF&PA: Chicago Paper Bag Provision is Short-Sighted

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The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement in response to the Chicago City Council’s passage of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to amend the city bag ordinance by placing a 7-cent fee on both paper and plastic bags.
 
"Government imposed product taxes not only increase costs for consumers and disproportionately impact those who are low-income, but can also substantially distort the free flow of recoverable materials, such as paper. The paper and paper-based packaging industry has achieved a consistently high rate of recovery voluntarily. In 2015, 66.8% of all paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling, and the recovery rate has met or exceeded 63% since 2009.
 
"Imposing a tax on paper products discourages consumers from using products that are recyclable, biodegradable, compostable and reusable," Harman noted. 

 

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