Plastic bags are old school… and not in a cool way.
On Tuesday, August 14th, Ralphs, 11-year old Evan Lewis, Green Vet’s and other local elected officials will join Surfrider Foundation and Environment California to discuss the dangers of plastic in our ocean and beaches and what action can be taken to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.
WHAT: The California State Legislature is considering a bill that would ban plastic checkout bags at supermarkets, retail pharmacies and convenience stores statewide starting in 2014. Assembly Bill 298 (Brownley) would also require those retailers to provide reusable bags for sale and charge a fee for recycled paper bags as an incentive for customers to remember their reusable bags. California could be the first in the nation to pass a statewide plastic bag ban. Click herefor more specifics on AB 298.
WHY: To date, over 50 California cities have banned single-use plastic bags- these bags cover between 25-30% of the population of California. Local bans include Solana Beach, and one is expected in Encinitas.
Grocery chains need one law to allow them to come into compliance in each municipality and streamline their operations.
Plastic bags are made from non-renewable resources such as natural gas and oil. Plastic bags do not biodegrade in our lifetimes and can impact wildlife when littered – in addition being an eyesore, costing taxpayer dollars to pick up, potentially clogging drains and possibly creating mosquito breeding grounds in warmer months.
While plastic bags are recyclable, recent reports show adismal 5% recycling rate from the 115 billion bags used nationwide.
WHO: Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter, & representatives from Surfrider Global HQ
Dan Jacobson, Legislative Director, Environment California
Eleven-year old, Evan Lewis who has a petition to ban bags in the City of San Diego
Local business supporters; 30 – 40 grass roots activists from all across San Diego
WHEN: Tuesday, August 14th at 10:00 a.m. Press conference begins at 10:30a.m.
WHERE: Kellogg Park at La Jolla Shores Beach, on Camino Del Oro, between Vallecitos and Calle Frescota.
