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Senator Tom Harman
State Capitol, Room 2052
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 2147 (Harman) Compostable Plastics Labeling - Support

Dear Senator Tom Harman:

I am writing in Support of AB 2147, which prohibits labeling plastic food or beverage containers as "biodegradable," “degradable”, or "compostable," unless the container meets the current ASTM standard for the term used on the label. 

Although many debate the environmental and economic costs and benefits of bioplastics, it is fact that these materials are already entering the marketplace.  “Compostable”, “biodegradable” and “degradable” are all terms that often used interchangeably and sometimes erroneously.  The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established standards for these terms, and provides definitions that are scientifically based and, hence, reliable.

It will be difficult to process these products appropriately in our waste stream unless consumers and composters can trust the veracity of the product labels.  Without AB 2147, we continue to allow for the distribution of products that may be mislabeled, are sold under misapprehension and that may potentially damage our still-developing composting infrastructure.

AB 2147 addresses an important and currently overlooked issue in our business world.  As new products meet the marketplace, it is important that we can trust the laws of our state to ensure that products are directed to the correct waste processors which we have spent so much time developing and supporting. 

It is our pleasure to support AB 2147, which helps businesses to maintain their reliability and trustworthiness in the California market, and helps protect the composters who will process this waste. 

Sincerely,

(Please FAX a copy of your letter to CAW (916) 443-3912 and we will hand deliver your letter to other members of the committee)