The Fee Incentivizes Shoppers to Use Reusable Grocery Bags

The fee is a constant reminder and continues to reinforce the importance of reusable bags. Taking the fee away could very likely cause a backslide and plastic bag use could increase, especially since the fee has only been in place for a few years. The longer the fee is in place the more local shoppers develop the habit of bringing reusable grocery bags to the store. Things might be different had the fee been in place for 10, 15, or maybe even 20 years – the reusable bag habit would be more firmly entrenched, there would even be some shoppers who only knew life with reusable bags. Doing away with the fee at that point may not be so detrimental. Three years is a significant amount of time, but there would definitely be some shoppers who would switch back to plastic bags. Removing the fee may also remove the incentive to use reusable bags. Shoppers who simply forgot their bags in their car may go ahead and bag their groceries in plastic instead of making the trip to retrieve their reusable bags. The fee still serves a vital purpose and can only contribute to the continued success of limiting the use of disposable plastic bags.

Possible Use for Fee Money

A secondary and unexpected benefit of the fee is how the monies raised will be spent. Under the current bylaw retailers take in about $5.4 million a year which they keep. Councilor Michelle Berardinetti is drumming up support for a plan that would ask retailers to direct some of the money to planting trees throughout the city. With the invasion of the emerald ash borer many trees have been lost in the area and the city's tree canopy is down to about 19% (35% coverage is considered ideal). Fixing this problem will cost about $10 million dollars. The City of Toronto does not have $10 million to spend planting trees. Berardinetti is proposing that monies from the plastic bag fee can help cover part of the expense. Retailers that donate their fee money will be allowed to claim the charitable donation and display a notice alerting their customers that they supported efforts to plant trees in their City. "At the end of the day, the taxpayers are going to have to pay for that tree canopy one way or another. If they want to rescind the fee, the issue is we're going to have to increase the property tax," said Berardinetti.

The plastic bag fee is a powerful tool that helps guide shoppers towards Eco-friendly reusable grocery bags. The fact that the fee money could be used to benefit the environment beyond limiting the amount of plastic bags unleashed on the City is an inventive and ingenious solution. Increasing the tree canopy is a necessary goal that will benefit the City. The money to plant the trees has to come from someplace and what is so great about possibly using the plastic bag fee money is that it allows a positive use to come from money raised by using plastic bags. Plastic bags take an adverse toll on the environment and the people who continue to use plastic bags are the ones who pay the fee and would potentially help cover this expense. There is a lot of support to keep the fee is place so hopefully it will remain a law and continue to encourage the people of Toronto to think about both plastic and reusable bags. Even if the money is not used to plant trees and the fee money stays with the retailers this law is still a constructive and positive influence and a reminder to bring your reusable bags when you go to the store.

To learn more about Toronto's plastic bag fee and the fight to keep it in place go to http://www.thestar.com/news/cityhallpolitics/article/1177852--toronto-mayor-rob-ford-wants-to-scrap-5-cent-plastic-bag-fee?bn=1 and http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/rob-ford-wants-to-see-5-cent-bag-fee-abolished/article2430494/

Plastic Bags and the Environment Do Not Mix

Discarded plastic bags are a major health hazard to animals. All too often animals mistake the bags for food and once ingested the bags cause a slow and painful death. Animals that eat plastic bags commonly starve to death because the bags create a false sense of fullness that prevents them from eating or the bags become tangled and lodged in the animal's digestive system, preventing food from being able to pass through. Plastic bags also pose an addition threat to marine wildlife because animals can become entangled in bags floating in the water. Once snared the bags may slow an animal down, thusly preventing it from being able to escape from predators or being able to catch prey. Sea turtles misidentify plastic bags for jelly fish and once the turtles eat the bags there is little anyone can do. It is difficult to impossible to identify when an animal in the wild is not eating as they should, and this is the tip that something is wrong. Unfortunately, in order for the animal to get help they have to be in such dire need of assistance that it is clear something is wrong; either the animal is severely underweight or maybe it was unable to follow its typical migratory pattern and it is someplace it should not normally be. There is also an element of luck, the animal has to be in the right place at the right time and cross paths with someone who recognizes there is a problem and does something about it. Sometimes the only way to diagnose when an animal has eaten items that cannot be digested is to examine the animal's body post mortem. No matter how things play out plastic bags are bad news for animals.

"This is a significant change for our company, one we hope will provide a model for our industry overall," said Jim Atchison, president and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. "Eliminating plastic bags is an important statement about our commitment to the environment, as well as the need to help protect marine animals from debris. It also allows our guests to play a direct part in making a difference on our planet." It is estimated that this move will eliminate 4 million plastic bags. This is a huge impact. This is more than a smart move for the environment. Doing away with plastic bags also saves the company money. Since SeaWorld is no longer covering this expense that means they will have more money to hopefully direct towards the rescue and care for animals in need.

Recycled or Reusable Shopping Bags

In the past visitors to any of the 10 parks under the Sea Word and Busch Gardens ownership who picked up items in the gift shops were given a plastic bag to carry their souvenirs. Once the bag is put into a customer's hands whatever happens to that bag is beyond the park's control. The customer may recycle the bag or it could end up as litter, litter that could contribute to the environmental problems the park was fighting to fix. With this in mind the San Diego Park made the right call to discontinue the use of plastic bags. Even if it were possible to guarantee that the bags would be disposed of properly there are still just too many negative impacts on the environment to make it a worthwhile move. The only options for visitors looking to pick up mementos of their visit now will be to carry their items home in bags made from 100% recycled paper or they can purchase a reusable bag. The reusable shopping bag is a great idea because it is a handy souvenir the customer can use again and again. It will also help get the sustainability message out there and spread the SeaWorld branding message. It is even possible that these bags could open the eyes of those who visit the park to the dangers of disposable plastic bags and the harm they can cause to animals in the wild.

Let's hope that this decision will inspire not only those who visit the parks to make environmentally friendly decisions in their lives, but also that SeaWorld will serve as a model to other parks.  Swinging by the gift shop on the way out of an amusement park is a definite for many visitors. The changes SeaWorld is making will have a big impact, but if all amusement parks got on board with this idea that could have some incredibly stunning results.

To learn more about SeaWorld's efforts to do away with plastic bags go to http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/26/seaworld-cans-plastic-bags-nationwide/ or http://www.tampabay.com/features/travel/attractions/busch-gardens-seaworld-eliminating-plastic-bags/1226778.

Core Goals and Objectives

Build with Bags has four objectives. The first is to double the amount of plastic bags recycled over the next 24 months. On the national level recycling rates of plastic bags are low, and Iowa is consistent with the national average. This leaves a lot of room for improvement and would have a tremendous impact on the environment, but doubling the rate is still an ambitious goal. To help achieve this goal collection bins are placed throughout communities. The bins are clearly labeled as being part of the Build with Bags program and they even feature a brief description of the program. This is an easy and smart way to increase recycling. People can just drop their old plastic bags in the bins and it is clear what the bins are for and how the simple act of recycling plastic bags helps out. Research has shown that people cite inconvenience as the main reason they do not recycle so the masterminds at Build with Bags made sure to eliminate this excuse.

The second goal of the Build with Bags program is to reduce the amount of plastic bags in circulation. This too is not easy and the IGIA has their work cut out for themselves. The easiest way to reduce plastic bags is to cut them off at the source, so if they can find a way to stop people from picking up plastic bags at the store than that will help them meet their goal. A sure fire way to get people to stop using disposable plastic bags is to give them another option, and this is where the IGIA's third goal comes into play. The third goal is to increase the use of reusable grocery bags. If shoppers take advantage of reusable bags then there will be fewer plastic bags out there. The second and third goals are closely related and success on one front will create success on the other goal. To help stores wrap their minds around these goals and give them a path to success the Best Bagging Practices Guide was created. This document explains the goals and gives tips and suggestions on how to succeed with these goals. However, the guide acknowledges that a one size fits all approach is not as likely to work, so they encourage individual stores to customize the goals to fit their operations.

Closing the Plastic Bag Loop

The first three goals are on par with objectives set out in most of the plastic bag bans throughout the country. By increasing reusable bag use you automatically decrease plastic bag use and it is prudent to make sure we properly dispose of the plastic bags we currently have. These are tried and true objectives that are the fundamental aspects of the bans currently in place and the proposed bans people are working to get on the books all over the world. The fourth and final goal is where Build with Bags takes a unique, unexpected, and surprisingly sustainable turn. The program uses recycled plastic bags to create outdoor tables and benches and kits to build raised garden beds. This last goal is to encourage the purchase of furniture and equipment made from recycled plastic bags through a grant program for parks and schools. The grant program was designed to "close the plastic bag loop" and create functional and useful items from plastic bags that were otherwise considered trash. The only catch is that the items must be purchased for a park or school. The grant program has received sponsorship from the American Chemistry Council, who has routinely taken action against plastic bag bans; however, this is an example of the organization using their resources and knowledge to have a positive impact on the environment and local communities.

Sustainable Advantages of Recycled Plastic

The recycled bags create a durable and resilient material that can hold its own against the elements and is not susceptible to the problems and shortcomings of outdoor items made from wood, namely rot and the regular maintenance like painting or staining. Pressure treated wood offers increased longevity, but many people shy away from the chemicals used in the treating process. The recycled plastic material offers the structure without the failings found in other materials. Tables and benches made from this plastic do not require maintenance and do not need to be painted. If necessary the tables and benches can simply be hosed down to clean.

Impact on the Environment and Communities

Build with Bags is designed to have a positive change on the environment and save money by ultimately putting an end to the practice of stores purchasing these nuisance bags and passing that expense along to their customers. Reusable bags definitely cost more per bag; however, the bags pay for themselves after several uses. Most reusable bags are engineered to last up to 3 years under normal use. Even when you factor in having to purchase new bags every few years, reusable bags still save consumers money. Also consider that prices at the supermarket should drop as stores need to stock fewer plastic bags, so the cost of reusable bags will be further offset. Shoppers are not the only ones saving money. Cleaning up the plastic bag problem costs municipalities money; whether picking up litter or hauling trash off to the landfill or sorting and handling recyclables. Build with Bags takes this hassle away from the public sector and over time will continue to decrease the impact of plastic bags on local municipalities.

A perk of the program is giving back to the community. After reviewing the submitted applicants 20 winners were selected recently to receive raised bed garden kits constructed from recycled plastic bags. One of the winners, Goodrell Middle School will use the kits as part of their gardening program that gives students hands on lessons outside of the traditional classroom. These are valuable educational tools that are made available due to the ingenuity of the program and the students are also subtly taught the lesson of sustainability. Michelle Hurd, interim president of the IGIA said "The Build with Bags program has exceeded our expectations in encouraging individuals to recycle their plastic bags so those bags can be turned into products that beautify our communities."

Turning a Negative into a Positive

What is so remarkable and innovative about this program is that it takes the problem of plastic bags and turns them into a functional solution. Most efforts to reduce plastic bag use and encourage reusable shopping bags just aim to stop the use of disposable bags and maybe they causally encourage recycling.  These efforts are not to be overlooked or taken for granted, but the Build with Bags program takes things to a new level and not only sets ambitious recycling goals but also finds very useful items to create from the recycled bags. The community benefits several times over since their communities and landfills will have fewer plastic bags and local parks and schools get to take advantage of the durable products created from the bags.

Plastic bag bans are tricky business. There are people who think bans are great and whole heartedly support them. There are also people who for one reason or another just do not support these bans; maybe they do not like being told they cannot use plastic bags or maybe they do not take issue with the impact plastic bags have on the environment. Either way, the Build with Bags program avoids these issues because plastic bags are not banished.  Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable shopping bags when they shop, but folks are free to still lug their groceries home in plastic bags if they so choose. Stepped up efforts are made to recycle plastic bags so those bags still given out in the checkout lane can be properly disposed. Some people may not agree with still allowing plastic bags to be used, and maybe that is not the best solution. What is certain is that Build with Bags is an ambitious program that has reduced the amount of plastic bags in use and there is no reason to think this program will not continue to grow and have even more of a positive change on the environment.

To learn more about the Build with Bags program go to http://www.itseasytorecycle.org/. To learn more about the grant recipient, Goodrell Middle School, head over to http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120429/COMM/304290058/Plastic-bag-recycling-benefits-Goodrell-school-garden?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cs.

A recent study confirmed that while 91% of Americans have access to recycling plastic single use bags locally, most do not. The study was conducted by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. and focused on flexible polyethylene film, of which disposable plastic bags are made. It turns out there are over 15,000 locations throughout the United States where disposable plastic bags can be dropped off for recycling. Most of these designated drop-off locations are at stores. Many major retailers, such as Target and Wal-Mart, place bins near the door where shoppers can deposit their old bags as they make their way into the store.

The study also determined that most Americans do not take full advantage of recycling opportunities when it comes to plastic bags. There are two issues at play that cause this outcome, convenience and knowledge. In order for people to recycle it must be convenient. There are sure to be some diehards who will go out of their way to recycle, but most people either cannot be bothered or just do not have the time to go beyond their routine.

Stores are a central location everyone frequents which makes them an ideal place to collect bags for recycling. Possibly the reason plastic bag recycling rates are so low is a lack of consumer knowledge of the availability of the programs. Collection bins are useless if most people do not know where to find them or if they even exist.

The next step to increasing recycling is education. Efforts need to be made to let shoppers know how and where to recycle. By spreading the word people will develop the habit of bringing their old plastic bags with them when they go to do their shopping, so they can drop the old bags off. Stores can run campaigns to let shoppers know where the collection bins are located within the store and explain what types of bags are accepted. Unfortunately, this information is not readily available and that contributes to the low recycling rates.

How2Recycle

To further streamline recycling efforts a new program is about to launch to make recycling easier. How2Recycle is a program aimed at making recycling jargon clearer and easier to understand. The hope is that if people can easily determine how to properly dispose of an item without the aid of a decoder ring then recycling rates should increase. How2Recycle labels are designed to provide clear and consistent info, so there is no ambiguity about whether an item can be recycled. What is great about the How2Recycle label is that it breaks down the different components of packaging and explains how each one should be handled.  For example, the label on a frozen TV dinner would outline the proper recycling and

disposal needs of the outer cardboard packaging, the plastic tray that holds the food, and the plastic film that covers the food. These labels also include all relevant information, like whether or not items need to be cleaned, and the labels feature a web address so consumers know where to go if they have questions. The group behind How2Recycle also created a special label just for plastic bags in an effort to increase bag recycling by giving the consumer the information they need to properly dispose of plastic bags.

Reusable Grocery Bags Offer an Additional Solution

Stepped up recycling is definitely the way to go. Properly disposing of plastic bags and other types of trash are key to reducing litter and managing our planet in a smart and environmentally responsible way.  A solution that is better than recycling is going reusable. Reusable shopping bags eliminate the need for disposable bags and are better on the environment. Think about depositing your plastic bags in the nearest recycling bin and picking up some reusable bags the next time you go shopping. Reusable bags can be used for just about anything and deliver long term, dependable results, so you may find you like them more than their disposable alternatives. Dumping your disposable bag habit lessens the demand for plastic bags, so over time less will be manufactured. Recycling is great solution for the bags currently out there, but lessening demand means less plastic bags are produced and that would be a great turn of events. You should most certainly recycle any plastic bags you have, but seriously think about picking up some reusable grocery bags to do right by the planet.

Go to http://news.yahoo.com/study-over-seventy-percent-americans-recycle-plastic-bags-162116340.html to learn more about the study conducted by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. Head over to http://www.how2recycle.info/  to learn more about the How2Recycle initiative.

Promoting your brand can seem like a hassle and you may ask yourself how useful is it really to print your company's logo on some tchotchkes? It turns out it can be very useful. Printing your logo on a commonly used item is a great marketing ploy because every time your clients reach for the item they will be reminded, at least subconsciously, of your brand. Particularly useful items that people will use again and again will have that many more opportunities to stamp your marketing message on their mind and increase your brand recognition. Creating a stellar promotional item is more than just picking a neat or practical item and slapping your logo on it. Think about items your customer base will be interested in or have a need for and will find value or use in. Also think about the materials the product is made from and how that will shape people's opinion of the item and by extension your company.

Give your next marketing item a boost by aligning your brand with environmental causes. Sustainability and eco awareness are issues a lot of people are very passionate about. The environment is a natural resource that we have been pushing around for a while now and unless we start changing our ways we are dangerously close to doing some irreparable damage. Imprinting your company's logo or a marketing message on an eco-friendly promotional item, like a reusable water bottle or shopping bag made from sustainable materials, is a great way to get your brand noticed all while doing right by the environment. This move also shows your clients (and prospective clients) that your company cares and has a stake in the shared future of our planet. Reusable products, particularly grocery bags have been picking up steam lately as an eco-savvy way to carry groceries home, or in areas hit by a disposable bag ban, the only way to carry goods home. Reusable water bottles have also earned a reputation as an ecological alternative to single use plastic bottles that can result in litter and environmental harm. Whether used by choice or need, eco-friendly marketing items spread the obvious message about your brand, but they also spread the word that your organization is aware and concerned about your impact on the environment.

Get Noticed with Reusable Items

Reusable shopping bags do the job of single use disposable bags without the negative effects on the environment. Some shoppers decide to use these eco-friendly alternatives because they choose to manage their impact on the environment while bans in some municipalities can dictate whether other shoppers go the reusable or disposable route. Plastic bags commonly end up as litter or they find their way into a landfill which isn't a great solution since they are not biodegradable and they just take up space. Aside from being an eyesore plastic bags can clog drainage systems and pose a serious health risk to animals, who may mistake the rubbish for food. Once animals ingest plastic bags it typically results in a painful and unnecessary death. These issues are usually the foundation of the numerous disposable bag bans sweeping the country. Take advantage of these bans and offer your customers a solution to a bag ban with a promotional reusable bag. Opt to create a reusable bag made from a sustainable material, like cotton, jute, or even bamboo. Natural materials are easy to clean which is a great feature for a reusable grocery bag. Consider other materials like polypropylene, which is made from recycled plastic. This material breathes new life into a non-biodegradable material and it makes for a durable reusable bag.

Some people prefer reusable water bottles or travel mugs to the plastic bottles or paper or Styrofoam cups given out at coffee shops because it gives them the assurance that the vessel is BPA-free and it means less trash will end up in our landfills, or worse yet littering our oceans. Still other people cannot fathom why they would pay for bottled water when they can simply fill a reusable bottle with tap water. Regardless, reusable drink containers are quickly becoming trendy accessories. Even people who do not support the environmental qualities of a reusable coffee mugs and water bottles will still love to snag this giveaway at a conference or tradeshow. As many states contemplate adding plastic water and juice bottles to their bottle bills it can become a hassle for people to dispose of their single use bottles and that can make a reusable bottle all the more appealing. Water bottles and coffee mugs made from stainless steel are easy to clean and will hang in there for years of use. Also consider drink containers made from recycled plastic, they too are easy to clean and they can be recycled when the time comes.

Reusable items are just plain handy. Whether used for shopping or the gym or to lug items back and forth to work everyone can find a use for a reusable bag. They may not use them every day, but reusable travel mugs and water bottles offer people the convenience of taking their beverages on the go. Also consider items that are made from recycled materials and items that reduce the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. Each and every time the owner of a reusable item uses it they will be reminded of your brand, but when they take your promotional item on the go you transform your customers into a mobile advertising army that spreads your branding message. This allows you to get the most bang for your buck since you can increase your brand recognition several times over.

Just by supplying clients with a thoughtful item that they can use is sure to get you on their good side due to the sheer convenience. Supplying a useful item also indicates to your clients that your company is aware and thoughtful and is making an effort to give them a practical and helpful item. Taking things an extra step and featuring promotional items with a sustainable aspect shows your customers your stance on the environment and conservation. In addition to your brand your eco-friendly item will also spread the idea that your company backs environmental issues.

The green movement is gaining in popularity every day and showing those who subscribe to this environmental crusade that your company shares their values will establish a loyal following for your brand. When consumers can identify with a brand and the ideals and principles of the company they are more likely to be faithful to this brand and stick with the company.

The Next Step

Bag bans are nothing new in the state of California; towns and cities all over the Golden State has banned single use plastic bags. Paper bags are usually not outright banned - oftentimes a nominal fee is placed on disposable paper bags. The idea is to encourage reusable shopping bags by discouraging paper bags. What sets the ban currently under consideration in the City of Los Angeles apart from many of the other bans on the left coast is that this one bans paper bags, too. "With paper bags, you're still generating litter," said Councilman Paul Koretz, who introduced the motion proposing the ban. "We're taking the next step."

Plastic bags have earned such a bad reputation because they are so likely to end up as litter. Due to their lightweight construction plastic bags can easily be lifted and carried off by the wind until they are deposited in vegetation like trees or shrubs, or a body of water. The only way to get rid of these eyesores is to pick up the litter - it’s not going to break down or recycle itself, human assistance is required. Plastic bags can be a serious health risk to animals and their habitats, as well as the environment. Since this litter is so visible it perpetuates the notion of just how bad plastic bags are on the environment. Since paper bags have a little bit more heft than plastic bags they do not have the tumbleweed tendencies of plastic, so they are less likely to end up as litter. In stores not impacted by a ban plastic bags are more popular, so just based on the number of plastic bags in circulation that contributes to the likelihood of extra bags being cast off as trash. In the much less common event of a paper bag being unleashed on the environment it is not as noticeable because the paper will break down in time. This creates a false sense of safety with paper bags. Because the problem disappears it is not as visible and it conveys the idea that there is no problem.

Nothing Beats Reusable Shopping Bags

The green movement has ingrained in people the idea of reusing and recycling and items that are biodegradable are revered as being a safe and smart choice. Unfortunately, this is not completely true. Paper bags are biodegradable and this is a great characteristic; however, so much energy is used to create them between tearing down trees and the actual manufacturing process that the positives brought to the table by paper bags are outweighed by the negatives. Paper bags constructed from virgin paper take a major toll on the environment. When it comes to somewhat eco-friendly paper there are two options. FSC certified, or Forest Stewardship Council certified, are forests that are responsibly managed and monitored by third parties to ensure the integrity of the growing and harvesting process. FSC certified forests are re-evaluated on a regular basis to make sure the certification is still valid and deserved. Paper bags made from PCW, or post-consumer waste paper are constructed from recycled paper. These options are less harmful, but they are not as good for the environment as reusable grocery bags.

Is a Statewide Ban Next?

Los Angeles’ ban is not looking to settle for the lesser of two evils. They want to put an end to both plastic and paper bags. This is ambitious ban that if put into action would mean everyone who shops in LA would have to use reusable bags. Dave Heylen, a spokesman for the California Grocers Association said, "We look forward to working with the city as they look at options for consumers to transport their goods from stores.” The entire state of California is watching Los Angeles as a statewide ban of both plastic and paper bags is an idea that many have considered and tried to put into place. As recently as last year a statewide ban on plastic bags made it as far as the Legislature before it was shot down. Many cities and towns have bans in place and at the rate things are going most of the state should be impacted by a ban sooner rather than later. While this is definitely a positive, the drawback to having a patchwork of bans is that people may be within driving distance of several different bans. A 20 minute drive in one direction may bring shoppers to a town that bans plastic bags but charges a fee for paper bags, while the same distance in the opposite direction may not have any ban in place. This can be confusing and a hassle to shoppers who may just need to run in the store to pick up a few items, but end up getting sucked into the legalities and environmental issues at the heart of most bans. Some shoppers choose to be informed and where the monies raised by fees charged on paper bags are allocated can influence whether they decide to use paper bags. A standardized statewide ban would remove the hassle and unknowns and make life for all Californians easier. California is definitely a trendsetter and there are many big and exciting changes on the horizon.

Learn more about at http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2012/04/plastic_bag_ban_los_angeles.php or http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/07/local/la-me-grocery-bags-20110907.

Landfills are a bit of a necessary evil. We need a place to toss trash, but when you round up everyone’s trash and throw it in one big heap you end up with a tremendous eyesore that just continues to grow and grow. The state of Vermont is thinking about limiting the amount of refuse headed for the landfills. A bill was passed in the House recently that called for a study to be conducted to determine how different types of waste materials are handled. The plan is to increase recycling efforts so less garbage takes up space in landfills and alternate handling methods can be determined. The bill is currently with a Vermont Senate Committee and two additional measures were added. Sen. Richard McCormack, D-Windsor, added a measure by a 3-2 margin that calls for a ban on plastic disposable bags, and the second measure, added by Sen. Joseph Benning, R-Caledonia calls to expand the state’s bottle bill.

Overflowing Landfills Getting Out of Hand

The benefits of altering the trash stream are two-fold. First, non-biodegradable trash piles up and can prevent biodegradable items from breaking down. When you throw leftovers that have overstayed their welcome in a plastic bag and that bag lands in a trash heap, the plastic bag insulates the garbage from the elements. Water, air and sunlight are necessary for biodegradable matter to break down. Plastic bags cut the biodegradable materials off from the elements and the food, paper, or other materials just sit, stuck in the bag. Over time these bags accumulate and the heap of trash just grows and grows. This entire process is really a shame because within a landfill there are tons of items that if given the chance would break down and  the giant monster of a landfill would not grow so big. This leads into the second benefit of altering the trash stream - preventing a landfill from becoming an unwieldy behemoth.

Banning plastic single use bags is a daunting task, but the benefits are worth the efforts. “Those things are wasteful and ugly,” said Sen. McCormack regarding plastic bags. While plastic bags are recyclable the sad reality is that most people do not recycle their plastic bags. There are several reasons for this. Different cities, towns, and counties have different rules and it can be a bother for some residents to keep up with plastic bag recycling efforts. Oftentimes plastic bags are not included in curbside pickup programs. Curbside pickup is such an incredibly easy system - the homeowner simply throws their recyclables into a bin and place that bin by the curb on the designated day. As far as recycling goes it does not get any easier. Plastic bags are usually excluded from this arrangement. If the bins are open and do not feature a lid it is very likely that if bags were placed inside the bin they would not be there for long. Wind could easily lift the bags and instead of recycling the bags into something useful the bags would become an ugly blemish as they litter streets and become stuck in trees. This would possibly create more of a problem and solve nothing. If we were to take the wind out of the equation, mixing plastic bag with your other recyclables can get a little dicey because the bags can get jammed in the machinery used to sort the items. This can be dangerous for the staff whose job it is to free the obstruction, but it is also just a hassle. To prevent recyclables from becoming mixed together many municipalities that offer plastic bag recycling have separate guidelines regarding how the bags are collected. This is easier for the municipality, but more of a hassle for the resident.

Reusable Grocery Bags Offer a Better Solution

Recycling plastic bags is really just a faux solution. The bags can be recycled into new plastic bags, but as long as new plastic bags are produced (whether from virgin materials or recycled) there is always the risk that the bags will litter our homes and communities, as well as our oceans, which are currently brimming with trash. Stepped up efforts to recycle plastic bags are noble, and they may seem like a good idea on the surface, but it is not the greatest solution. The best answer is to stop using plastic bags altogether. If plastic bags are banned than  the risk of the bags turning into ugly and harmful litter is eliminated. People can implement their own personal ban and bring reusable shopping bags with them when they head out to do their shopping. If everyone brought their own reusable bags then stores would no longer need to purchase bags and manufactures would find themselves producing less bags to accommodate the diminished demand. This would be an ideal situation because plastic bags would just naturally disappear and become a distant memory. There would be less and less litter being created so efforts could be focused on cleaning up the existing problem. The way things stand now it can be disheartening to clean up litter because it is a never ending battle. For every piece of trash picked up it can feel like more appears. However, this is an ideal situation, some people back the cause and make the switch to reusable grocery bags and that’s great. For some people it takes a ban to get them to make the change. Stores have to actually stop supplying disposable bags in order for some shoppers to stop using plastic bags. The drawback of the ban is that it is a law that has to be drafted and re-drafted and voted into action. It can take months or even years before the ban becomes a reality and there will be groups who fight the ban every step of the way. Ultimately, the results are worth the struggle, but it is unfortunate that there has to be a struggle at all.

Expanded Bottle Bill

In addition to the plastic bag ban a measure regarding the bottle bill was also added to the bill in question. Like many other states Vermont has a bottle bill. Customers are charged a deposit when they purchase beverages in bottles or cans covered by the bill, usually the deposit is 5- or 10-cents. When the beverage container is empty the consumer can return it to a store and get their deposit back. Studies have shown that litter plummets when bottle bills are enacted. By tying a value to soda cans and beer bottles people are more likely to hold on to them instead of carelessly tossing them aside. This system also keeps reusable materials out of landfills. Like all changes it takes a little getting used to, but the bottle bill has been a success. Expanding the current bill to include plastic water and juice bottles should be a no brainer since Vermont residents have been saving and returning other types of bottles and cans for years. Residents can take things a step further and once they return their bottles and cans make the switch to reusable water bottles. Reusable bottles come in metal or plastic and since they are used over and over again they keep trash out of landfills.

Next Steps

Right now the future of this bill is uncertain.  Lawmakers will mull it over and decide what the next steps will be. If passed the plastic bag ban would go into effect on July 1, 2012. Not all of the Vermont senators are on board with this plan - some feel the bag ban and expanded bottle bill could disintegrate the efforts of the original goal, which was to limit trash in landfills. For instance, altering the bottle bill could remove some of the more valuable bottles and cans from solid waste facilities that depend on these items to cover the cost of recycling. Lawmakers are not the only ones with an opinion of this issue either. Jim Harrison, executive director of the Vermont Grocers Association noted that his group is all for reducing single use disposable bags and they have been working for a while now to make that happen. Harrison is concerned that by banning plastic bags most consumers would use paper bags instead, and there are environmental and food safety issues with paper bags. “We are making positive strides getting people to use reusable bags,” Harrison said. He does not feel this bill will help the cause and at this time the Vermont Grocers Association does not support this particular ban.

Limiting the amount of trash added to our landfills is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Landfills are not going away; they are just getting bigger and bigger and the longer we wait to address this problem the harder it will be to fix. Using reusable shopping bags and reusable water bottles are little steps that can make a big impact.

Head to http://news.yahoo.com/vt-trash-bill-loaded-bottle-law-bag-ban-193845361.html or go over to http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20120414/NEWS03/120413041/Vermont-Senate-panel-recommends-plastic-bag-ban-bottle-deposit-expansion to learn more about the state of Vermont‘s efforts to reduce the amount of trash heading to their landfills.

Function of Bags

Plastic produce bans have a clear function: to contain germs or bacteria. Produce can be contaminated with E. coli and other sorts of bacteria so by simply dropping your fruits and veggies in a bag you can prevent the spread of bacteria to the cart or the conveyer at the checkout lane. Without the barrier of the bag the bacteria from these surfaces could transfer to your other groceries or the groceries of future shoppers. The opposite is true, too. If you were to place a couple bell peppers in your cart they may pick up some bacteria from the head of lettuce the shopper who used that cart before you purchased. The best practice is to always wash your produce before you prepare it, but limiting the spread of potentially harmful bacteria is always a good call. While produce bags are handy at preventing the spread of germs they are also great at containing the moisture from leafy greens that were hit with a mister, and they are a must when buying vegetables in bulk. Purchasing green beans or brussel sprouts in bulk would be a tremendous hassle without a produce bag to hold the loot.

With this logic in mind those drafting bag bans typically omit the plastic produce bag from the prohibition. Bans can be a tough sell; they require people to alter their habits and lifestyle. People may acknowledge the environmental benefits of the ban and they may support the ultimate goal, but actually living that change day in and day out is another story. Oftentimes when a ban is put together produce bags may be left out to make the entire arrangement more agreeable and more likely to pass. For those who support and believe in the cause it can be frustrating to not eliminate all sources of the plastic problem, but sometimes a small sacrifice allows for the greater good. A plastic bag ban that eliminates most bags is better than no ban at all.

Eco-Friendly Produce Wrangling

Shoppers do not need to be stuck using plastic bags in the produce department. Some stores have looked into biodegradable possibilities. This option is exciting and can reduce the amount of trash while creating a safe and compostable resolution. Since biodegradable produce bags are not widely available, shoppers can look to other, possibly more eco-friendly solutions. If you already use reusable shopping bags to carry your goods home, how about just placing your produce in your reusable bag while shopping, remove the items at the checkout so the cashier can ring everything up, and then just re-pack the items in your bag. This option can protect your produce from being exposed to germs or bacteria, or protect other food items from bacteria on your produce. It also allows you to keep damp veggies away from items like cereal or pasta which are packaged in cardboard boxes, and it may stop a stray avocado from rolling away.

The reusable grocery bags shoppers fill up at the checkout tend to be big and they feature heavy, reinforced seams designed to handle large loads. Not all reusable bags are designed this way. Consider picking up smaller reusable bags, maybe made of nylon or another low-profile material to secure your vegetables and fruits. Two or three of these bags will conveniently stow inside your other reusable bags and will help you stay organized as you take care of your shopping. As is true with all reusable bags you should routinely wash reusable produce bags to protect your family and yourself from the possibility of bacteria.

Every bit of plastic you can eliminate from your life makes a difference. Switching out disposable plastic bags with reusable bags makes a huge dent in the amount of waste you create. Eliminating produce bags will allow you to help protect the environment and wildlife even more.

To learn more check out http://www.boulderweekly.com/article-8221-the-plastic-bag-war-is-moving-toward-the-produce-aisle.html.

Southampton, New York is the oldest settlement in the state, and the residents decided to make their home the first in another regard: Southampton is the first community in the state of New York to ban disposable plastic bans. After a year of public hearings the town rallied and the ban was approved. The notion of the bag ban picked up momentum amid concerns about the choking hazard plastic bags pose to wildlife and unsightly litter. The road to the ban was not without issues and disputes, but the residents and the town board were able to work together to make the plastic bag ban a reality. “I think it is all good, I think it’s all for the best. I’m really proud of the town,” said resident Julia Gruen.

Eco-Friendly Reusable Grocery Bags Offer a Solution

From here on out residents of this quaint town which sits on the south fork of Long Island and is about 30 miles from the end of the island will have to bring reusable grocery bags when they go to their local grocery stores. The ban only applies to single use plastic bags used in grocery stores,

pharmacies, and carry out eateries. Extra-large plastic bags, like the kind used at most clothing stores are still legal under the ban. That is not to say that just because plastic bags are available shoppers are not free to bring their own reusable bags when shopping for clothing. Stores impacted by the ban that do not comply with the measure could face fines up to $1,000 or up to two weeks in jail. The town plans to give stores and shoppers alike time to get use to the ban, but they will send code enforcement officers out and about to make sure local business abide by the ban. In many stores shoppers will receive a nickel rebate for each reusable bag they bring with them, and paper bags will still be available for a charge of 5 cents per bag.

Community Support

Adrienne Esposito of the Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment summed up the towns stance when she said, "We’re thrilled. Plastic bags are a major pollution source for beaches, bays, park lands, highways, neighborhoods and communities." A unique aspect of the ban was that multiple community based groups stepped up to help make the ban a reality. One such group, SAVE, or Southampton Advocates for the Village Environment was a big supporter of the movement. Roger Blaugh, a co-chair of SAVE, credits the documentary film "Bag It" with inspiring himself and others to bring the issue to the village board. The film follows one man's journey to reduce the amount of plastic he consumes, starting with plastic bags and moving on the other non-biodegradable items.

Advantages of Customized Reusable Shopping Bags

To help get the ban off to a positive start members of SAVE have handed out reusable shopping bags donated by local merchants. Giving away reusable bags is a fantastic marketing opportunity. It allows residents to abide by the ban and spread the message of an advertising campaign or logo. When a shopper carries a reusable bag customized with a logo or branding message other people who pass this shopper, either other shoppers in the parking lot, pedestrians, or fellow riders on public transportation will be exposed to the message on the bag. Customized reusable bags can also help build loyalty with the owners. Giving out reusable bags emblazoned with a logo establishes the company as not just aware of environmental issues, but willing to do something about these issues. People with similar values will be able to identify with this company and the simple act of handing out a custom marketing item can help establish a long standing rapport.

Southampton is about a 2 hour drive from New York City and is known as being a summer hotspot for those looking to get out of the City during the warmer months. Both year round resident and seasonal visitors take the time to enjoy nature and the outdoors while in the Hamptons. From beautiful beaches and picturesque streets lined with shops and cafes with outside seating, part of the Hamptons experience is to be outdoors as much as possible. The unsightly litter caused by plastic bags puts a definite damper on the experience. This motivated residents to ban plastic bags and keep the outdoor spaces and natural beauty free from ugly litter.

Go to http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/11/04/southamptons-plastic-bag-ban-goes-into-effect-on-sunday/ or http://southampton.patch.com/articles/village-plastic-bag-ban-starts-sunday to read more about Southampton's ban on single use plastic bags.

Over the last several months Los Angeles County rolled out a plan to ban plastic disposable bags in an effort to make the area free from plastic litter and to combat the negative environmental impact caused by plastic bags. The ban went into action in stages. The first stage went into law July 1, 2011 and banned the use of plastic bags in major retailers. Phase II extended the ban to smaller establishments on January, 1 2012. In addition to banning disposable plastic bags the measure also called for a 10-cent fee to be charged for each paper bag stores give to customers in the checkout line. The fee is not subject to sales tax and all fees collected are to be kept by the retailers. The intention of the fee was to discourage shoppers from simply using paper bags in place of plastic bags and to encourage people to bring reusable grocery bags when they do their shopping.

Ban Challenged

LA County's ban was challenged by a group that includes South Carolina based Hilex-Poly, who is an industry leader in the manufacture of plastic bags and film products. The lawsuit brought by the group argued that the ban violated Proposition 26, which outlaws a tax being disguised as a fee. The suit claims that the 10-cent fee charged to use paper bags is unconstitutional because the fee is really a tax. A second issue of the case was that there was no oversight into how stores used the revenue collected from the fees.

The goal of the suit was to get the ban overruled and get both plastic and paper bags back into consumer's hands. It is understandable that plastic bag manufacturers would take issue with such a ban since it threatens their livelihood. It is unfortunate that the group that brought the suit would try to tear the ban apart based on a misinterpretation of the law. It is also unfortunate that the County had to put their lawyers and officials on this issue and valuable court time was spent looking over the fine print of the ban when the judicial system could have been working on other, more pressing issues. Hilex-Poly and the other groups that brought the suit should possibly consider using their time and money researching how to create an eco-friendly solution instead of trying to derail progress.

Ruling Upholds Plastic Bag Ban

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge threw the suit out and upheld the law. Judge James Chalfant stated that Prop 26 was designed for revenue generating measures and since the County does not collect a single cent from the fee, Proposition 26 was not violated. The fee is simply a fee and it is not a tax incognito.  When the ban went into effect the County encouraged retailers to use the monies collected to promote plastic bag recycling efforts or the use of reusable shopping bags; however, this was not written into the law and there was no effort exerted or even planned to monitor where the money actually went. The idea of using the money collected by the fee to help solve the disposable bag problem or encourage reusable bags is fantastic. Since this money is raised by those who either have disposable bags that should be properly recycled and people who could benefit from reusable bags this notion helps create a solution from the problem. Another perk of this setup is that it does not draw on tax payer money.

This particular ordinance probably could have benefited from having a more defined process for how the money is spent and a method of confirming the spending allocation is adhered to. The ban has been in place at major retailers for about eight months and in that time there have been no issues or acts of impropriety regarding how the money is spent. Maybe that is just sheer luck, but a more defined set of rules would help to shore up the ordinance and ensure that there are no problems. This direction would also help create a degree of transparency so residents and opponents of the law could have sight into exactly what is happening. This added direction would also make it harder for those against the ban to find fault and try to bring the whole ban down on a technicality.

Model to Learn By

This ruling is most certainly a victory for Los Angeles County, but it is also a victory for every other municipality that is pondering a disposable bag ban. This incident serves as a model to other municipalities drafting their own bag bans. Other law makers will now know to consider laws such as Proposition 26 and make sure their ordinances can stand up to the argument levied by Helix-Poly and their cohorts.  Other lawmakers may also choose to include more specific language regarding how the fee money should be allocated so as to not invite any reproaches or legal actions. The criticism levied against bag bans is almost as useful as the bans themselves because while this critique may set an individual ban back it helps other cities, and counties, and lawmakers shore up their fine print and build stronger bans that can withstand attacks from plastic bag manufactures or other groups that threaten the progress of bag bans.

County Supervisor Gloria Molina explained in a press release issued shortly after the ruling, "At issue was the fundamental legality of Los Angeles County’s plastic bag ordinance, and I am very pleased Judge Chalfant decided in our favor.  The purpose of the ten-cent charge was to incentivize consumers to shop with more environmental awareness while preventing merchants from having to take on yet another financial burden – particularly during rough economic times.  We did not want to generate funds for the county – nor did we want to surreptitiously supplement the county’s coffers." The entire purpose of the fee is to get people to think about the big picture. The fee was set at 10 cents so as to not break the bank and cause a financial burden to shoppers. This amount is not exorbitant, but at the same time is not excessive. It is just enough to give consumers pause and make them think about how and on what they spend their hard earned cash. It is worth noting that LA County's ban does have exceptions. Residents participating in WIC (Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children) or SNAP (CalFresh/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are eligible to receive disposable paper bags without incurring the fee or reusable shopping bags at stores that honor these programs. LA's Public Works also gives away reusable bags at various community events to help alleviate the burden and expense of purchasing reusable bags.

Benefits of Reusable Shopping Bags

Los Angeles County's motives were primarily environmental. While the County could greatly benefit from collecting the fee, this issue is not about the money. It is about doing right by the environment. Plastic bag litter is a major eyesore and can cause serious harm to animals and their habitats. In an effort to protect the environment and keep the area clean the County has crews pick up trash – the problem is paying people to pick up litter is a drain of resources on several fronts.  When the Department of Public Works (DPW) sends employees to clean up roadside garbage that means there are other jobs that will not get done that day. LA County felt they were spending a lot of time and money picking up litter. Since plastic bags make up a large portion of the litter the logic is simple. Eliminate plastic bags and you will have less litter. Less litter means DPW crews will not need to spend as much time picking up litter. If the crews have more availability they can focus on other jobs. Banning plastic bags eliminates the problem at the source. Since the salaries of DPW employees is funded by tax money, letting the DPW focus their efforts on jobs that will better benefit the public and having the pubic shoulder efforts to reduce litter allows the tax payers and the County to get more bang for their buck.

Reusable bags are the perfect solution since they are sturdy and can accommodate more goods than a disposable bag. Reusable bags can last for several years of regular use, so they deliver faithful and dependable results.  Since reusable bags are often constructed in eco-friendly ways and are typically either made from recycled materials or renewable materials they just do not have the negative impact on the environment that disposable bags do. Many cities within the confines of Los Angeles already have bag bans, so by the County implementing their own ban it helps unify the various bans and makes life a little less hectic for the residents.

For more information on LA County's efforts to live life free of plastic back go to http://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/aboutthebag/. To learn more about the court ruling head to http://montrose.patch.com/articles/countys-plastic-bag-ban-upheld-in-court-ruling and http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_20258340/judge-upholds-la-countys-plastic-bag-ban.