Plastic bags do not grow on trees, but more often than not, that is where I see them or in bushes, empty lots, waterways and the like. And as these plastic puffs sweep across the desert, a swirling controversy has risen up about “Big Brother” wanting to take away our bags of convenience. Sure, “He” wants your bags, not your swag.
In 2006, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 2449 which required certain retail establishments to set up at-store recycling programs for plastic carryout bags. Beginning in July of 2007, mandated retailers including larger grocery stores and pharmacies must provide bins for collecting and recycling plastic bags, display educational materials and offer reusable bags for purchase. More recently, AB 2449’s author, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) announced his intent to introduce legislation to build upon the success of the new law by creating recycling benchmarks and allowing stores to charge a fee of up to 15 cents per plastic bag given to consumers. Stores would be prohibited from dispensing one-time-use plastic bags to their customers unless they could demonstrate that they have reduced and recycled at least 35 percent of plastic bags by the end of 2010, and 70 percent by the end of 2012.
Why all the fuss? Plastics are the fastest growing component of California’s waste stream. If they are not flying around town or being recycled, the bags are going straight to the landfill and once there, they lie in wait forever. Plastic bags virtually do not biodegrade. It costs us, California, $25 million annually to landfill discarded plastic bags. The convenience of the plastic bag pales in comparison to the problems they cause our environment. According to Californians Against Waste, at least 267 species have been scientifically documented to be negatively affected by plastic marine debris and it is estimated to kill over 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year. Need another negative environmental impact? Plastic bags are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource.
As the land of the plastic bag hopefully diminishes, consumers and retailers, all good environmental citizens, can reap new rewards. Many stores are offering reusable bags and totes. Some stores like IKEA are already charging for bags if you do not bring your reusable bag. Proceeds from Ikea’s “Bag the Plastic Bag” efforts go to American Forests, a conservation organization that plants trees in order to help cool the climate.
There are plenty of options when it comes to hauling our groceries and other goods. You can buy your own bag according to your style needs at websites like
http://www.reuseablebags.com/ or you can even make your own bag. For knitters, check out
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ and artist Elizabeth Edwards who created her own reusable bag from the old bags she had at home. I am not a knitter, so besides my reusable bag from Trader Joe’s, I went to
http://www.ehow.com/ and learned how to fuse plastic bags to make a strong reusable tote! So the next time you need to make a purchase at the store, remember this:
Recycle what you need to, reuse what you have and put it all in environmentally friendly bag!
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