Thread: California Becomes First State To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags

California Becomes First State To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags

| By By FENIT NIRAPPIL

Posted: 09/30/2014 3:01 am EDT Updated: 09/30/2014 4:59 pm EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores, driven to action by pollution in streets and waterways.

A national coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately said it would seek a voter referendum to repeal the law, which is scheduled to take effect in July 2015.

Under SB270, plastic bags will be phased out of checkout counters at large grocery stores and supermarkets such as Wal-Mart and Target starting next summer, and convenience stores and pharmacies in 2016. The law does not apply to bags used for fruits, vegetables or meats, or to shopping bags used at other retailers. It allows grocers to charge a fee of at least 10 cents for using paper bags.

State Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, credits the momentum for statewide legislation to the more than 100 cities and counties, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, that already have such bans.

The law marks a major milestone for environmental activists who have successfully pushed plastic bag bans in cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Austin and Seattle. Hawaii is also on track to have a de-facto statewide ban, with all counties approving prohibitions.

"This bill is a step in the right direction — it reduces the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself," Brown said in a signing statement. "We're the first to ban these bags, and we won't be the last."

Plastic bag manufacturers have aggressively pushed back through their trade group, the American Progressive Bag Alliance, which aired commercials in California blasting the ban as a cash-giveaway to grocers that would lead to a loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs.

"If this law were allowed to go into effect, it would jeopardize thousands of California manufacturing jobs, hurt the environment and fleece consumers for billions so grocery store shareholders and their union partners can line their pockets," Lee Califf, executive director of the manufacturer trade group, said in a statement.

Padilla, the bill's author, said Californians would reject a referendum effort and quickly adapt their behavior to help the environment.
"For those folks concerned about the 10 cent fee that may be charged for paper, the simple elegant solution is to bring a reusable bag to the store," Padilla said.

Shoppers leaving a Ralphs supermarket Tuesday in downtown San Diego were divided as they weighed the legislation's environmental benefits against its costs. San Diego does not ban plastic bags.

"With the amount of waste that we produce, we can try to help out by slightly inconveniencing ourselves," said Megan Schenfeld, 29, whose arms were full of groceries in plastic bags after leaving reusable bags at home.

Robert Troxell, a 69-year-old former newspaper editor, said the fees are more than an inconvenience for retirees living on fixed incomes like him. He shops daily because he has only a small refrigerator in his hotel for low-income seniors.

"It becomes a flat tax on senior citizens," said Troxell, who lives off social security and other government assistance. "I have not disagreed with Jerry Brown on anything — until this."

The American Forest and Paper Association, a trade group representing paper bag makers, says the bill unfairly penalizes consumers who use their commonly recycled products, while holding reusable plastic bags to a lower standard for recyclable content.

Responding to the concerns about job losses, the bill includes $2 million in loans for plastic bag manufacturers to shift their operations to make reusable bags. That provision won the support of Los Angeles Democratic Sens. Kevin De Leon and Ricardo Lara, who had blocked earlier versions of the legislation.

Lawmakers of both parties who opposed SB270 said it would penalize lower-income residents by charging them for bags they once received for free. The bill was amended to waive fees for customers who are on public assistance and limit how grocers can spend the proceeds from the fees.

Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico also have pending legislation that would ban single-use bags, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...ef=mostpopular

California Becomes First State To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags


Now watch all of the sheep states follow the leader.

What do you think about California's plastic bag ban?

LOVE IT. LET'S CELEBRATE. 48% (1536)

HATE IT. LET'S REPEAL IT. 51% (1626)

Related story: Will voters repeal California's plastic bag ban?
Total votes 3162

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Kroger to phase out plastic bags at all stores

16 Times Countries and Cities Have Banned Single-Use Plastics

They are an inspiration in the war on plastic.

• SHARETWEETEMAIL

By Imogen Calderwood
APRIL 25, 2018

We’re going to hit you with some plastic stats.
Each year, around 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans. It’s like dumping a rubbish truck full of plastic in the water every single minute.

In the US, which accounts for just 4% of the global population, 500 million plastic straws are used every day.

Take action: Call on Governments and Business Leaders to Say No to Single-Use Plastics

Take Action: Sign Now

The average supermarket plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to break down.

It makes you wonder how we’ve gone so long without realising (or caring?) that plastic is having a truly devastating effect on the environment.

Luckily, these 15 countries and cities around the world have made serious strides in the race against plastic, and the rest of us can learn a lot from them.

1. Kenya

As of August 2017, anyone in Kenya who’s found using, producing, or selling a plastic bag faces up to four years in jail, or a $38,000 fine.

It’s the world’s harshest plastic bag ban , and it’s prompting some seriously creative solutions.

Image: Facebook/Ndungu Nyoro

2. Vanuatu

On July 30, 2017, its independence day, the Pacific nation of Vanuatu announced the beginning of a phasing out of plastic bags and bottles .

When implemented, it will ban the use or importation of single-use plastic bags and bottles — and it will make Vanuatu the first Pacific country to launch such a ban.

3. UK

In January 2018, the UK announced a 25-year plan to “set the global gold standard” on eliminating plastic waste, according to environment minister Michael Gove.

The first “landmark step” was to eliminate plastic microbeads , which can no longer be used in “rinse-off” cosmetic and personal care products. The tiny plastics are found in products like body scrubs, face washes, toothpaste, and cleaning products. But they’re so tiny they end up in the oceans, where they’re eaten by sea creatures and often end up back in the food chain.

It’s not quite a complete ban, however, with “leave-on” products like sunscreen and makeup still allowed to contain microbeads.

The UK has also brought in a tax on plastic bags, as of 2015, which has resulted in 9 billion fewer plastic bags in circulation. Prime Minister Theresa May also announced this month a consultation on a ban on plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds, which will launch later in the year.

Even the Queen of England has joined the war on plastics, by banning plastic straws and bottles from the Royal Estate in February.

4. Taiwan

In February, Taiwan announced one of the farthest-reaching bans on plastic in the world , restricting the use of single-use plastic bags, straws, utensils, and cups.

The ban — which builds on existing regulations like a recycling programme, and extra charges for plastic bags — should be completely in force by 2030.

5. Zimbabwe

In July 2017, Zimbabwe announced a total ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS), a styrofoam-like material used for food containers that takes up to a million years to decompose.

Those caught violating the ban have to pay a fine of between $30 and $500.

Image: TRF/Moraa Obiria

6. Montreal

The Canadian city of Montreal kicked off 2018 by banning single-use plastic bags .

Merchants have until June 5 to adapt to the policy and after that, first-time offenders could face fines of up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for corporations.

The city previously used roughly 2 billion plastic bags every year, and just 14% of those were recycled. Meanwhile, the city of Victoria also announced it will bring in a ban on single-use plastic bags in July 2018.

7. Malibu

In March 2018, the Californian city of Malibu’s local council voted to ban the sale, distribution, and use of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and plastic cutlery , to begin on June 1.

The idea is to keep plastic from reaching the city’s beaches and the ocean.

8. Seattle

As of July 1, Seattle will become the first US city to enact a ban on plastic straws, along with single-use plastic utensils .

The ban was tested in September 2017 with a city-wide “Strawless in Seattle” campaign, which involved more than 100 restaurants, major sports organisations, airports, and aquariums, among others.

9. Australia

South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory, have state-wide bans on single-use plastic bags, and Queensland is set to follow in July 2018.

Meanwhile, major Australian supermarkets Coles and Woolworths have announced they will phase out single-use plastic bags by mid-2018 — to impact customers in Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

Australia is one of the largest waste producers in the world, second only to the US, with Australians using an estimated 5 billion plastic bags every year before the ban, according to Clean Up Australia .

10. Canada

In January 2018, Canada put a full stop to plastic microbeads . Although microbeads are still permitted to be manufactured and imported for non-prescription drugs and certain natural health products until July 1.

Research had previously found that there were 1.1 million microbeads per square kilometre in Lake Ontario.

Image: Flickr/MPCA Photos

11. Hamburg

The German city of Hamburg brought in a fairly niche plastic ban in February 2016 — against non-recyclable plastic coffee pods.

Many of the pods can’t be fully recycled, and those that can be recycled consume a lot of energy because of their complicated design.

Before the ban, billions of the plastic shells were piling up in landfills each year.

12. France

In 2016, France became the first country to announce a total ban on plastic cups, plates, and cutlery, to be brought in from 2020.

It followed the country’s total ban on plastic bags in 2015, in an effort to transform France into “an exemplary nation in terms of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying its energy model, and increasing then deployment of renewable energy sources.”

13. New Delhi

This massive city in India, home to over 20 million people, took a major step toward helping the planet when it banned all forms of single-use plastic in 2017 . The city, which was found to have the worst air quality out of 1,600 cities that were analysed, took the step after complaints were made of illegal burning of plastic at garbage dumps.

14. Morocco

Before the ban, which was signed into law on July 1, 2016, Morocco used 3 billion plastic bags every year — an incredible 900 bags per person every year.

It made it the second largest plastic bag consumer in the world after the US. But the landmark bill was launched to ban the production, import, sale, and distribution of all plastic bags across the country.

15. Rwanda

When other countries around the world were just starting to think about imposing taxes on plastic bags, Rwanda banned them completely .

Since 2008, carrying a plastic bag in the country can earn you a jail sentence — although typically offenders receive fines of about $61, according to Plastic Oceans campaign group.

According to Plastic Oceans, the plastic bag ban is just the start for Rwanda, which is now hinting at becoming the world’s first plastic-free nation and planning to become completely sustainable by 2020.

16. New York

While still just a proposal, the state of New York is considering banning plastic bags. The bill, introduced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, calls for the end of single-use plastic bags in grocery stores and other retailers by next year, but includes exceptions for items like produce bags, take-out bags, and bags sold for garbage or food storage.

"The blight of plastic bags takes a devastating toll on our streets, our water, and our natural resources, and we need to take action to protect our environment," Cuomo said in a statement.

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/con...und-the-world/

San Diego approves plastic bag ban: City votes to become 150th ...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/.../sdut-san-diego-plastic-bag-ban-2016jul19-story.ht...
Jul 19, 2016 - The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted 6-3 to ban single-use plastic bags at large grocery stores, pharmacies and corner markets ...

San Diego the 150th municipality in California with a ban on plastic checkout bags, which often end up in landfills or as litter in storm drains, rivers, canyons and beaches.

A city ban on plastic straws and utensils in bars and restaurants went in effect Sunday, in the latest push to reduce waste and prevent marine plastic pollution. Seattle is believed to be the first major U.S. city to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils in food service, according to Seattle Public Utilities. July 2, 2018

Seattle becomes first U.S. city to ban plastic utensils and straws

https://www.cbsnews.com/.../seattle-becomes-first-u-s-city-to-ban-plastic-utensils-and-str...

Put a ban on illegal aliens

Will cut down on use of straws, plastic, garbage, bags, water, gasoline, roads, hospitals, housing, schools, jails, prisons, courts, lawyers, lawsuits, welfare, food stamps, sewage, rape, murder, graffiti, destruction of neighborhoods, crime, identity theft, jobs lost to citizens, DUI's, car accidents, fires, violence, overbreeding, the list is long.

California has a real water shortage problem. These illegals will outbreed you and suck your wells dry!

Stop all immigration for 10 years...we cannot sustain the overbreeding population growth with NO means to support themselves OFF the government dole.

We do not want them, we do not need them and we do NOT want more urban sprawl and more housing for all this population!

Kroger to phase out plastic bags at all stores in 35 states

The Kroger Co. Family of Stores include Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, King Soopers, Jay C Food Store, Kroger, Owens Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, QFC, Ralphs, Smith's Food and Drug.

I think that all this plastic rubbish should be banned just everywhere... All those bags and bottles on the shore are a real disaster! It looks disgusting not talking about deeper environmental problems... I've stopped using plastic bottles and bags a couple of years ago. Now I deny plastic straws, chewing gum. I even have a bamboo toothbrush instead of the plastic one. But no matter how little plastic you use. It's a matter of law. Some things just need to be prohibited for the better future of our planet.