In 2007 San Francisco was the first city in the United States to ban plastic bags. This move, along with similar stories of bag banning and taxing from all around the world, encouraged many cities to try to follow suit.
I say try because the plastic industry is fighting back against any proposed tax or ban in smaller Californian towns. Takepart.com reports that the plastic industry feels it is being attacked and is suing many of these cities claiming that the proposed bans and taxes are
“based on insufficient environmental impact reports. They believe that the anti-plastic bag laws are an endorsement of paper bags, which they argue do more harm to the environment than plastic bags.”
As if the plastic industry is the victim here. Well hopefully, plastic industry, your whining will just encourage towns to follow San Jose’s plan. The city will ban any bags (plastic or paper) “made with less than 40 percent recycled material” beginning in 2011. Hell let’s get crazy and ban all bags that are not totally reusable or recyclable. I’m sure the oceans and landfills would thank us.
Image via Frank Servayge
