Ban on ‘Chasing Arrows’ Recycling Symbol?
Photo by Lara Jameson
You may or may not know about SB-343, a bill to limit Resin Identification Codes (RIC), which are the recycling symbols you have frequently seen on products. Ben Allen, a California state senator is trying to limit them on certain products, due to how many Americans get misled when it comes to how many of these products get recycled. A quote by Rudy Sanchez on Dieline helps to make sense of this system: The symbols “are used to sort materials from single-stream sources. Since RICs look like the original recycling symbol, many consumers assume the plastic item they put in their blue bins is being collected and used to make new stuff. The grim reality is recyclability varies, and some of the waste we could recycle into new materials won't because it isn’t profitable.”
Ultimately, “The bill declares use of the chasing arrows symbol, the chasing arrows symbol surrounding a resin identification code, or any other symbol or statement indicating recyclability, to be deceptive or misleading unless the product or packaging is considered recyclable pursuant to statewide recyclability criteria to be developed by CalRecycle.” (National Law Review). As of right now, it is probable that only number 1 and 2 plastics would retain the symbol.
The bill was passed on September 9th, and is awaiting signature by Governor Newsom. The restrictions will go into action as early as 2024, if signed before or on October 10th, 2021. Although it is not a step towards plastic reduction, it is still a step towards educating Californians on recycling and how our society influences and depends on it.
Check out these articles below for more information, which include a study from the Consumer Brands Association: