A bill that stipulates plastic bag makers to develop a recycling plan apart from registering with the state has been passed in the Illinois Senate and is pending the House's vote.
Manufacturers can formulate recycling plans of their own or jointly with firms in the same segment, and are supposed to pay a yearly fee by 1 July 2013.
The Senate Bill 3442 also bans cities from banning plastic bags, with the exception of Chicago, and manufacturers must set up collection points within10 miles of Illinois residents in 90% counties by 2014.
The Bill has secured support from the Illinois Manufacturers Association and the Illinois Retail Merchants' Association, but several environmental groups and city-level administrations have concerns with some of its provisions.
