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Reactions Split on Plastic Bag Ban
Photo by paul_irish via Flickr
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Photo by paul_irish via Flickr
The State Assembly passed the ban on single-use plastic bags yesterday in a 41-21 vote, and the reactions seem split as well.
In hopes of gaining support for the State Senate decision expected to happen later this summer, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has released new data. They say that a recent study (.pdf) shows San Francisco, who has already switched to paper bags, did not reduce litter but rather increased energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waster. The ACC also suggested the ban would cost consumers as much as $1 billion in new charges on grocery bags. Their Twitter account, @PlasticAdvocate is actively twittering out reactions of people who oppose the ban and are “angry over the decision”.
But those in favor of the bag still have the one up. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released an official statement saying he supported the ban and even commended the Assembly for passing it. “I commend the Assembly for passing AB 1998, which would make California the first state in the nation to ban plastic bags,” he said. “This bill will be a great victory for our environment and I applaud Assemblywoman Brownley for working on this effort.”
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Still there are some who feel this ban is just the first step. Bag Monster is one of many blogs that promotes the reusable bag movement and feels that complete elimination of plastic bags will come from the public using alternatives in all areas, not just grocery shopping.
Previously on LAist:
- Ban on Plastic Bags Approved by California Assembly
- Support for Bill to Ban Plastic Bags Continues to Grow
- California One Step Closer to Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags
-One Week Left to Pass Ban on Plastic Bags
- Will California Ban Plastic Bags?
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