An industry group formed to promote plastic bag use is doubling down on its commitment to recycling and it has changed its name to reflect that fact.

The American Progressive Bag Alliance announced Jan. 30 that its members had voluntarily committed to having 95% of all plastic retail bags being either reused or recycled by 2025. As part of that commitment, the group has renamed itself the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance.

"As a result of our industry's efforts to build recycling infrastructure, nearly all Americans can now conveniently bring plastic bags and other plastic films back to the grocery store to be recycled into new products," Matt Seaholm, executive director of ARPBA, said in a statement. "We are proud of the progress we have made and energized to do even more."

The commitment comes at a time when single-use plastic products are coming increasingly under attack from environmentalists and lawmakers. ARPBA is part of the Plastics Industry Association, which has seen a concerted effort by environmentalist organizations to strip members away from the group. Activists are particularly incensed the alliance has fought to overturn taxes levied on plastic bags by local governments.

ARPBA and other associations are pitching recycling as a solution to the environmental problems plastics cause although industry critics contend recycling's benefits are overstated. The alliance noted that about 78% of plastic grocery bags are reused although only about 12% are recycled. In addition to improving reuse and recycle rates, the group's members are pledging their bags will contain 20% recycled content by 2025.

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