A state bill that would ban plastic and other single-use bags from supermarkets and some other types of stores is currently making its way through the California legislature. It has until August to clear both state houses and head to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk where he's expected to sign it.
In the meantime, bill sponsor Heal the Bay is taking the bill to the public with a safari-like mocumentary following the plastic bag from the grocery store parking lot to the ocean. Watch out for those teacup yorkies you little cute plastic bag!
“Rather than lecturing the audience, we wanted to create a film that would capture people’s attention with humor,” said Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay. “At the same time, we saw this as subversive way to make viewers realize the serious, far-reaching problem of single-use plastic bag pollution."
Actor Jeremy Irons narrates the nicely-produced four-minute flick. Heal the Bay estimates that 19 billion bags in California are used each year. That creates 123,000 tons of waste and $25 million in cleanup costs. Despite recycling programs, they say less than five percent of all single-use plastic bags are recycled.
Santa Monica Assemblymember Julia Brownley introduced the bill, AB 1998.
