There's an unprecedented move afoot in the California legislature. A bill to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores in 2012 is one step closer to reality after it passed the Assembly on June 3 by a vote of 41-27.
The Governor says he's ready to sign it, as soon as it's approved by the California Senate. Although cities across the nation, including San Francisco, have already passed similar local measures, this would be the first statewide ban, perhaps leading the way for other states to follow suit.
This is not the first time this proposal has gone to the legislature in California, but this time, it looks as if the support is there to see it through. Thanks in part, no doubt, to countless organizations like ours who have been sharing concerns over the environmental impacts of plastic bags on our environment. Not to mention of course that in the current climate of a catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf, many of us are mindful of the other uses for petroleum.
If you're still not convinced that plastic pollution and other marine debris in our oceans is an issue, check out this incredible slideshow that really speaks for itself. "In the belly of the whale" there were over 33 pieces of plastic bags!
Comments