Have you heard about the Los Angeles City Council's decision to ban the use of plastic bags in grocery stores? Here is a blurb about it from CBS:
"The program would be modeled after bag bans in 48 other California cities that aim to prod consumers into using reusable bags in order to prevent plastic litter that clogs waterways, swells landfills and clutters streets.
After the ordinance is adopted, the city will require large stores to phase out plastic bags over six months, then provide free paper bags for another six months. Small retailers would have a year to phase out plastic.
After a year, retailers would be allowed to charge 10 cents for paper bags. Residents receiving government assistance would be exempt from the bag fee."
Having grown up close to the Atlantic shoreline I am sympathetic to the likes of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus who says that a large percentage of ocean pollution is plastic. Yet I wonder if there is a way to deal with pollution without getting rid of all things plastic. What do you think?
I reuse most of my plastic bags at home and then there are recycling programs, but I wouldn't mind going back to good ol' paper or even boxes or something like that. I think that banning something is always going to make people not want to comply. Giving them more attractive options may phase out plastic by choice.
ReplyDeleteWe recycle plastic too Ma. Even so, our vendor does not take plastic bags so we have to collect and bring them to a grocery store with a plastic bag recycling container. Generally speaking most alternatives to bags are either bringing your own bag or buying one from the store.
DeleteSo, we ban plastic and litter with something else? How about we just stop littering.
ReplyDeleteI agree, littering with something else isn't any better.
DeleteI recycle most of my plastic bags and repurpose them too.
ReplyDeleteFortunately the city we live in here in Calif. hasn't banned them yet.
I agree that the forbidding of them just makes people dig their heels in more.
A lot of jobs will be lost with the banning of plastic and California is going down the tubes on that front already.
I agree with Mike...lets just stop littering and recycle.
I agree with you all about littering and recycling. Also think that waste disposal companies sometimes do not dump refuse far enough out to sea.
ReplyDeleteI am very late to this discussion...I just discovered your beautifully organized blogs through Google Blogger Forum.
ReplyDeleteI live in Pasadena, on the border of Altadena (which is Los Angeles County) and we have been living with the plastic bag issue for a while now. It is remarkable how quickly one adapts to carrying a shopping bag(s) in your car or/and purse. It is a habit that is easily implemented. You can very readily find bags, and here I'm talking about fabric or some long lasting fiber, in all food markets and many other stores as well. They come in all sizes including those that fold up into a little pouch and fit in a purse or wallet.
Purchasing a bag isn't necessary. So many organizations give them away as promotional gifts. Some of them are extremely well made.
Once again Bob I have got to say...I have learn so much about blogging organization and style from your bloggs...I salute you!
Thanks for the nice words 210! Appreciate your insightful comment on this issue.
DeleteCheck out ChicoBag.com Those bags have made a lasting impression on me. We are using their fundraiser program for our Green Team and plan to use the money raised to purchase recycle containers to collect plastic bottles for recycling. Educating the public on ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat is an on going process. Just because we live in a convenience economy doesn't mean we should take everything for granted.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and sharing Constance. I checked and those Chico Bags seem a lot more expensive than Trader Joe bags cost.
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