American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, President and CEO Donna Harman this week issued the following statement in response to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture passing H 2121. Previous language adding a fee to paper bags was removed. 

 

"Paper is not part of the problem communities are trying to solve. The amended bill is a recognition that a paper bag fee undermines an environmentally responsible option to plastic shopping bags. Paper bags represent a sustainable packaging option for consumers who need carryout bags."

 

The AF&PA serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative—Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. 

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures more than $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of about $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online.