San Jose is about to jump on board with the ban of the plastic single-use bag. But the city goes a step further in trying to ban the paper bag too. San Fransisco has put a similar ban but limiting it to petroleum-based plastic checkout bags – allowing biodegradable plastic and recyclable paper under the legislation. San Jose’s ban would allow paper bags made with 40 percent recycled materials, but only for a fee. Yes, just another way to fee us to death – as if San Jose isn’t already outrageously expensive to live (I know, I’m from there).
Although the ban is not to go into effect until 2011, it is moving forward quickly. But the ban will require an environmental impact study. Retailers and consumers alike will have to get ready for the ban – making sure they have reusable bags in toe. Considering that we all have reusable bags coming out the wazoo these days, that shouldn’t be difficult.
The San Jose Mercury News said:
“David Lewis, executive director of the environmental advocacy group Save The Bay, said San Jose’s vote will resonate. On Tuesday, top elected officials from cities in Santa Clara County voiced their support for the ban.
‘The plastics industry has fought these efforts tooth and nail, but I would hope they recognize how deep the support is in San Jose and throughout the Bay Area for banning plastic bag pollution,’ said Lewis.”
Not only plastic bag pollution in the bay area, but worldwide. Those plastic bags that don’t make it to landfills end up flapping out to sea, resting in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or on reefs and shorelines elsewhere in the world. They’re one of the top three items found littering beaches, along with bottles and cigarette butts.
Call me a negative Nancy, but I just can’t help but think of the next potential problem: the miss-use and waste of the re-usable bag. Just because it is a re-usable bag doesn’t mean we aren’t going to end up wasting them just like the plastic and paper bags. How many times do we go to the store last minute (meaning it wasn’t on the to-do list, or in the plan but you find yourself there anyway)? How many times do we leave the house bound for the store and forget our grocery lists? Now think of all those re-usable bags that you will have to buy for that one trip to the store that you didn’t plan for or you forgetting to bring your bag(s) with you…. That’s a whole lot of re-usable bags, re-purchased (money wasted) and used for no good reason (excessive purchasing of bags = waste). Then, when you get home. What are you going to do with those bags that you had to buy but don’t really need now? Best case scenario, they are going to sit in your pantry or closet, or where ever you use to store your plastic and paper bags. But more realistically, they will some how end up in the trash, which will lead to the landfills.
I agree that there is a “plastic bag pollution”, especially in the major metropolitan areas like San Jose and San Fransisco. It’s disgusting. And we should be looking for a solution. But I am just not sure that enforcing the use (and purchase) of re-usable bags is the answer. It seems like forced consumerism to me.
I like it! I like it a lot! Except I always forget my re-usable bags. If I was forced I’m sure I would be better at remembering!