Maryland Plastic Bag Tax Threatens Jobs, Business in State

ELKRIDGE, Md., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Advance Polybag, Inc., an Elkridge manufacturer of plastic bags, could see its jobs threatened if state lawmakers pass a five cent tax on grocery bags this legislative session. Passage of the bill would affect 140 people and their families.

Today, Rex Varn, Executive Vice President of Advance Polybag, released the following statement:

"We're speaking out on this issue because we have an obligation to defend the 140 people who work at our plant in Elkridge and the numerous local businesses that support our operation. The bill the Maryland Legislature is considering will put these jobs at risk.

It will tax people at a time when the state is already struggling with 220,000 unemployed. No other state has implemented such a policy, and in fact, states that have tried, have rejected such proposals – instead opting to promote recycling efforts – a more effective solution to litter.

We are interested in having a productive dialogue to find more common sense solutions. Instead of a tax, we support promoting bag recycling – an approach that creates jobs and preserves consumer freedom and convenience. Many do not realize that plastic bags are safe, clean and 100 percent recyclable. They are made from natural gas, not oil; nine out of ten bags are re-used by consumers; and, when recycled, they create new materials.

We are committed to continuing our efforts to ensure that, as an industry, we provide the safest, most energy-efficient alternative at checkout."

Advance Polybag has been operating in Maryland since 2004. It employs 140 people in Elkridge. Legislation before the Maryland State Legislature would impose a  five cent tax on grocery bags, putting these jobs at risk. The tax, which would be placed on a product consumers currently receive free of charge, would amount to a 500 percent levy on the good.

Contact:
Christopher Bastardi
212-704-4544

SOURCE Advance Polybag, Inc.