In a recent poll put on TheCalifornian.com an impressive 74 percent of respondents indicated they wholeheartedly support the notion of banning plastic bags and that they would readily bring their own reusable grocery bags when they shop. This is great news and shows that folks are serious about taking this step, eliminating disposable plastic bags from the waste stream and helping the planet.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) is an amazing organization that was formed in response to a recognized need to provide public involvement to advance stronger environmental policy. This not-for-profit group with offices throughout Connecticut and New York has been going strong for 25 years and they seek to educate the public about environmental problems and solutions while encouraging participation in environmental campaigns.
Disposable plastic bags are deserving of the bad reputation they’ve garnered. They use up valuable non-renewable resources during the manufacturing process while also releasing dangerous greenhouse gases, and they are not biodegradable, so they never really go away.
There are a lot of people working every day to ban single-use plastic bags in their hometowns and communities. Their reasons may differ, but concern for the environment is usually a common theme. This week for What’s In the News Wednesday, we’ve rounded up several locations that have either expanded their disposable bag ban (congratulations, West Hollywood!) or are working to implement their own ordinance.
Latest News on Bag Bans
There are so many cities, counties and even countries that have implemented bans on single use plastic bags. To help track this movement we’ve put together an interactive map that highlights areas with bag bans, places where officials attempted to pass a ban with no luck and cities that have laws levying a fee on disposable shopping bags. If you haven’t had a chance – check it out! Here are some new locations that recently popped up on our map.
Chicago has had an ongoing discussion about disposable plastic bags for quite a while now. It all started back in October 2011 when a plastic bag ban was suggested. The State of Illinois made headlines last summer when their Governor attempted to pass radical pro-plastic bag legislation in response to the suggested ban. After a lot of hard work, the proposal the Governor had supported did not pass, and while nothing is final, it looks like Chicago is closer than ever to switching to reusable shopping bags and banning disposable plastic bags throughout the city.
The Queensland government decided against issuing a plastic bag ban despite the support for a ban and encouraging residents to switch to reusable shopping bags. Also, Environment Minister Andrew Powell explained that the government would not introduce any measures that would increase the cost of living for people in Queensland, such as a bag fee.
By just three votes, the California State Senate failed to pass the minimum threshold to move Bill 405 out of the Senate. The bill would have banned disposable plastic shopping bags beginning in 2015, while also imposing a fee on paper bags.
In July of 2009 the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags was passed in Hong Kong. This law prohibited large and chain supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores and supermarkets inside department stores from handing out free plastic shopping bags – disposable plastic bags can only be distributed for a fee.
Ban Would Eliminate Plastic Bags in California Grocery Stores
A proposed bill by state California Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) aims to ban disposable plastic shopping bags in grocery stores and pharmacies starting January 1, 2015. Shoppers would be encouraged to bring their own reusable grocery bags or pay a fee, probably about 10 cents per paper bag used. The proposal would extend to convenience and liquor stores starting on January 1, 2016.
Environmental Groups Looking to Emulate Barrington
Last week we told you about the race between California and Massachusetts to be the first state to officially ban single use, plastic bags and this week we report on what could possibly become a new entry into the race – Rhode Island.
Last October the Barrington Rhode Island Town Council voted to ban plastic bags in retail stores, farmer’s markets, flea markets and restaurants. The law went into effect in January 2013 and prohibits establishments impacted by the ban from handing out disposable plastic bags, as well as mandating that these businesses must provide paper or reusable bags for a fee. Shoppers can avoid paying the fee by bringing their own reusable grocery bags, or if making a small purchase opting to carry their items without a bag. As is to be expected there has been mixed feelings amongst the residents of Barrington regarding the ban, but overall people support the plastic bag ban and are adapting to it.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, please support the movement and view our bag ban map. This is a great interactive tool that pinpoints cities, counties, and even countries that have bans or fees on the books for disposable shopping bags.
The State of California has been hard at work for many years trying to be the first state to ban the use of disposable plastic shopping bags, but Massachusetts is pondering a proposal that could allow them to beat California to the finish line. Lori Ehrlich, the state representative for Massachusetts, wants to change shoppers’ behavior by getting them to start using sustainable reusable shopping bags.
Will Florida protect its environment with a bag ban? The State of Florida is on the verge of some big and exciting, eco-changes if a proposed single-use shopping bag ban bill by Democratic Senator Dwight Bullard takes effect. This will pave the wave for shoppers to get in the habit of using sustainable reusable grocery bags.
There has been a growing movement in California working to ban disposable plastic shopping bags and go reusable for many years now, and while there have been plenty of smaller scale victories, with a total of 62 jurisdictions successfully passed bag bans, California is now on the verge of banning plastic bags at a state level. This is an exciting time for our entire nation – as this statewide ban will start a new chapter in not only the state of California’s quest to eliminate the damaging impact plastic bags have on our environment, but it will propel the rest of the United States toward statewide bag bans as well.
Plastic bag bans take a lot of work and planning to become a reality. It can seem like a daunting task at times, but with careful planning, research, and dedication you can start a movement and get a single-use plastic bag ban on the books in your hometown. Look how many towns all over the world have succeeded in implementing a single-use bag ban and if they can do it, you can too!
As the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, St. Augustine has a long and colorful history. The latest chapter will be about sustainability and environmental responsibility as the St. Augustine city commissioners approved a voluntary plastic bag ban. The bag ban was proposed by a group of students involved with the non-profit called ENACTUS from nearby Flagler College and will encourage reusable recycled bags and custom reusable grocery bags with a local theme.
In July 2012 plastic bags were banned in the city of Seattle. The law also levies a 5-cent fee on paper bags (stores keep all of the money raised by the bag fee). What sets Seattle’s ban apart from the numerous other cities and counties that have also banned single-use plastic shopping bags is that it forbids disposable plastic bags in all grocery and retail stores, including department, clothing, convenience, and home-improvement stores, making Seattle’s bag ban very far-reaching.
There are lots of reasons to implement a ban, so you just need to determine what the reason is for your hometown. When you understand the “why” behind the ban, you can create a campaign and explain to everyone from residents and neighbors to businesses and politicians why a ban is a good fit.
The small and simple gesture of banning plastic bags can set off a chain of events that can greatly and positively change life in your community and beyond. Here are five ways banning plastic bags in your hometown can change life as you know it for the better.