More than 100 individual cities and counties around California have outlawed single-use plastic bags over the last several years. The California Plastic Bag Ban, which went into effect after the November 8 election, made the law statewide for grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies.
As for the environmental benefits of the ban, Renee Robertson, supervising recycling specialist for the city, says they’re more about litter control than saving space: “It’s very difficult to deal with plastic bags at a landfill, especially on windy days.”
But it’s not just problematic there; the bags have also been a major source of litter at canyons and waterways, often ending up in the ocean. As an added benefit, the ban is helping to instill better consumer habits, discouraging single-use items that are generally more wasteful than reusable and durable goods.
Tags: California, Environment, Garbage, Plastic bag ban
