Comments Document

See attached. Opposed to H. 228, in re: labeling.

Comments Document

AMERIPEN – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment – appreciates the opportunity to provide the attached written testimony on House Bill 228 (Cole) that would ban recyclability claims and labels on product containers and packaging by creating a Virginia-specific recyclable mandate. AMERIPEN supports policies that improve recycling, consumer education and moves materials into circularity. HB 228 will unfortunately result in more – not less – packaging materials going to disposal in Virginia. Additionally, HB 228 sets a negative precedent for all recyclable materials, as it will deprive consumers of useful information about how to recycle packaging. We are therefore opposed to HB 228 as drafted and we urge the House Labor and Commerce Committee to oppose its passage.

Comments Document

AMERIPEN – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment – appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony on House Bill 228 (Cole) that would ban recyclability claims and labels on product containers and packaging by creating a Virginia-specific recyclable mandate. AMERIPEN supports policies that improve recycling, consumer education and moves materials into circularity. HB 228 will unfortunately result in more – not less – packaging materials going to disposal in Virginia. Additionally, HB 228 sets a negative precedent for all recyclable materials, as it will deprive consumers of useful information about how to recycle packaging.

Comments Document

See attached.

As a young Virginian citizen, I have seen these misleading recycling practices in action my whole life. It is misleading to many individuals and their intent to help the environment. As a Virginian I truly believe this must be changed.

I support HB 228, the Recycling Truth in Labeling bill, as a first step effort to reduce the scourge of plastic that befouls our land and waterways. I live in the Town of Vienna and am often confused about what I should or should not throw in the recycling bin. Do I take a chance and throw an article in the recycling bin that might slow down the sorting process or otherwise contaminate the recyclable materials stream, or do I instead throw the questionable item in the trash and add to the solid waste stream? Clarity please! I prefer a more restrictive bill, one that limits the production of plastic consumer products and packaging and instead requires the manufacturing of consumer products and packaging using glass, metals, and paper or other compostable and biodegradable materials. This bill simplifies recycling for consumers and is a worthwhile first step. Lea Giovanniello – Town of Vienna

I believe that many corporations in Virginia practice misleading recycling practices, and these practices are extremely harmful to the environment and promote the deception of consumers and employees. When I worked at Starbucks, they would often promote the benefits of recycling, but in actuallity, don't differentiate between recycling and trash and would throw both out in the trash. This is very harmful to the environment and isn't in line with ethical guidelines that companies should be following and as a Virginia citizen, I strongly believe this needs to change as soon as possible.

Support HB 228 Recycling symbols on products that are not recyclable leads to “wishcycling”, where people place a questionable item into their recycling bin in hopes it will be recycled. HB 228 works to address this issue. HB 228 will prohibit manufactures from using the chasing arrows recycling symbol on products unless it is actually recyclable in that locality or region. The bill will also require Virginia to compile a list of recyclable materials in the Commonwealth. Why we support HB 228 1. Consumers have the right to know if the products they are using are recyclable or not. However, many plastic manufacturers have been overusing the recycling symbol to make their products seem sustainable even if they’re not. 2. When consumers place items in the recycling bin, they don’t get much assurance that their products are recycled. Once their items are hauled away, Virginians do not know if those items end up landfilled, recycled into a similar product or shipped overseas to be dealt with elsewhere. 3. Virginians should be able to look up if a product is recyclable and know where it goes to be processed and recycled. 4. HB 228 is critical in determining what is recyclable in Virginia and provides consumers with assurance that their items are being recycled here in Virginia. 5. Virginia needs to modernize recycling. A critical step in modernizing recycling is knowing what materials are being used, disposed and managed. Consumers currently have no assurance that what they recycle is recycled.

Supporting a bill against misleading recycling practices is important to safeguard the integrity of recycling efforts. When companies inaccurately label products as recyclable, it disrupts the recycling process and misguides consumers. Such deceptive practices can lead to contamination in recycling streams, hindering the overall effectiveness of recycling initiatives. Legislation in this regard becomes a vital tool to establish clear guidelines and hold businesses accountable for accurate labeling. By implementing standards and penalizing misleading claims, the proposed bill ensures a transparent communication of recyclability information, contributing to the efficiency of recycling systems. Beyond consumer clarity, the bill promotes responsible corporate behavior. Companies should be incentivized to adopt truthful practices regarding the recyclability of their products. This not only strengthens consumer trust but also encourages businesses to embrace sustainable packaging solutions. In essence, supporting this bill is a proactive step towards fostering a more reliable and effective recycling culture. It aligns businesses with responsible practices, empowers consumers with accurate information, and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable environment. Your support can make a significant difference in advancing this essential legislation.

As a Virginia citizen, I have seen these misleading recycling practices in action my whole life. Not only is it bad for the environment, it promotes deception of consumers and employees. Some places, like Starbucks, go as far as to plaster signs about the benefits of recycling, even though the recycling just gets thrown in the dumpster along with the trash. This harms the environment, but also the companies/organizations’ relationships with their customers. I have seen this in my workplace, school districts, and countless businesses. I strongly believe that this needs to change.

A bill against greenwashing matters because it keeps companies honest. When businesses exaggerate their environmental friendliness, it messes with consumer trust and puts genuine eco-friendly efforts at a disadvantage. By having rules in place, we level the playing field, making sure companies walk the talk on sustainability. This isn't just about consumers – it's also crucial for fair competition among businesses. Plus, it's a win for the environment. Clear rules prevent companies from diverting attention and resources with false green claims. We want businesses to focus on real, measurable sustainability, not just empty marketing. It's good for the planet and pushes us towards a greener future. This affects investors too. With more people putting money into environmentally responsible companies, greenwashing becomes a big risk. Having a bill means companies have to be transparent about their eco-credentials, helping investors make informed choices. In a nutshell, a bill on greenwashing is about keeping it real – for consumers, businesses, the environment, and investors. It's a step towards a green and honest future.

As a Virginia citizen, I have seen these misleading recycling practices in action my whole life. Not only is it bad for the environment, it promotes deception of consumers and employees. Some places, like Starbucks, go as far as to plaster signs about the benefits of recycling, even though the recycling just gets thrown in the dumpster along with the trash. This harms the environment, but also the companies/organizations’ relationships with their customers. I have seen this in my workplace, school districts, and countless businesses. As a Virginian, I strongly believe that this needs to change.

Vote YES on HB228 HB 228 will prohibit manufactures from using the chasing arrows recycling symbol ♻️ on products unless it is actually recyclable in that locality or region. The bill will also require Virginia to compile a list of recyclable materials in the Commonwealth. REASONS TO SUPPORT: ● Consumers have the right to know if the products they are using are genuinely recyclable or not. However, many plastic manufacturers have been overusing the recycling symbol to make their products seem sustainable even if they’re not. ● When consumers place items in the recycling bin, they don’t get much assurance that their products are recycled. Once their items are hauled away, Virginians do not know if those items end up landfilled, recycled into a similar product, or shipped overseas to be dealt with elsewhere. ● Virginians should be able to look up if a product is recyclable and know where it goes to be processed and recycled. ● HB 228 is critical in determining what is recyclable in Virginia and provides consumers with assurance that their items are being recycled here in Virginia. ● Virginia needs to modernize recycling. A critical step in modernizing recycling is knowing what materials are being used, disposed, and managed. Consumers currently have no assurance that what they recycle is recycled.

Hello -- I am writing today in support of HB228, the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. I grew up with curbside recycling programs, so they were just something one did, without much thought. When the soda can was empty, or the yogurt tub, you cleaned it out, put it in the bin, and it went away. Over the past few years the curtain has been pulled back. With China's Operation National Sword in 2017, suddenly we had to deal with all of our own trash, instead of shipping it off for poorer nations to deal with. And then: rising costs meant curbside recycling programs across the country were scaled back, as they were in Fairfax County, or eliminated altogether. And then, alarming facts began to emerge: less than 10% of plastic was actually getting recycled, most of it only once or twice. NPR published several articles in the past 5 years suggesting Big Oil knew all along that recycling was never a solution for plastics, it was merely a campaign that made the public feel better. I have had so many conversations with friends and neighbors, people who really want to do the correct thing, but have no idea. Greenwashing is pervasive. I cannot count how many people are surprised when I inform them the chasing arrows symbol simply denotes what type of plastic an item is made of, not that it was or can be recycled. Truly, I tell them, the best way to be sure is to avoid packaging as much as possible. Speaking from experience: that is often difficult, time-intensive, and more expensive. I have taken heart at the steps that the Commonwealth and my County have taken. Plastic bag taxes, robust websites outlining what can and cannot be recycled. Special bins to continue to collect glass since it's no longer accepted curbside. I am excited about HB228 in particular because I believe it will finally begin to put the onus on companies, rather than the consumer, and make it much easier for everyone to make more informed decisions. Just as we have nutrition labels to know what's in a food, we should be able to know how and if an item is being appropriately disposed of. I urge you to vote in support of HB228. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today. Best, Kelly Barrett 6421 Lyric Lane Falls Church VA 22044

Clean Fairfax strongly supports this bill which would vastly improve recycling in the Commonwealth.  Right now, consumers are often faced with impossible amounts of competing information with regard to what is and isn't recyclable, and between greenwashing and wish-cycling (wishful recycling) too often end up making poor decisions. This affects the quality and quantity of recycling available to haulers for sale.  This bill would ensure that what is sold in Virginia as a product that can be recycled (using the beloved "green chasing arrows" symbol) can actually be recycled in Virginia.  The other part of this bill, creating and maintaining a database of recyclable items, would be a great first step in supporting the consumer, the environment,  and the recycling industry by ensuring that what goes in the bin can be sold and not landfilled or incinerated. The mission of Clean Fairfax is to encourage environmental stewardship and urban sustainability in Fairfax County, Virginia through education, programming and community involvement. Clean Fairfax works on litter prevention efforts, promotes community cleanups and supports reducing, reusing and recycling. It also serves as a clearing house for environmental information in Fairfax County. Thank you for your consideration. Jen Cole Executive Director/Clean Fairfax, Fairfax County