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So you have probably seen flashing flaws in the voter-supported ban on the almost decade old, plastic bags of California.
In some ways, to make the problem worse, the thick bag has been replaced with thick people. So I have written about MPs that a fixed pitch that will restrict all plastic bags – traders that style – 2026. Click here to read that story.
(On a related note, State Sen Catherine Blackspier, D-Easinitas, who wrote the Senate version of that bill, also introduced the law this week, which will ban the chain restaurant from offering a single-use cup for customers.)
The news on plastic bags has understood some questions. Here I have met something, answer and some questions for you, dear composors …
Question: “I am very old to remember that there were no plastic bags. Plastic bags were switched because we were cutting a lot of trees. Now wanted to go back to paper. … Surprisingly, wonder what these people want to plant more trees to fight climate change, what will be said about what?”
A: This is a valid concern. Several studies have shown that, with the requirement of trees, before this restriction we take more water and energy to make paper bags to make thin plastic bags.
This is the only part of the story, though. Experts are more and more concerned about public and environmental health concerns with microplastics, which are shed with all types of plastic materials. Then there is garbage to consider. Whereas, as the story tells, it is now very impossible to recycle thick plastic bags offered in California, even thin plastic bags are often not recycled. And when the residents tried, they still got involved to blow up or stuck in machinery at sorting and recycling centers.
But there is an important requirement in the proposed new laws that will also help flip the equation on plastic versus paper logic. Under the approved law voters in 2016, paper bags offered by shops should be made with at least 40% recycled materials. The bills introduced last week should be made from them “100% postconsmer recycled materials, without exception”.
So when both paper bags can be worked out to reduce other resources required to make, no trees will be dropped to make bags that can be introduced in California stores if these bills are made laws.
Question: “Will people be prevented from bringing them out of the state? Will the police look for them like they do for illegal fireworks?”
A: New laws do not propose any rules around consumers with plastic bags, and certainly no criminal punishment. The law will ban only a certain size store and sells some types of goods (most grocery stores, normally) by offering plastic bags to consumers at a checkout stand.
Question: So if I care about the planet, then what is the best way to shop?
A: There is no correct solution. But no matter what kind of bags or box you use to carry your grocery items, the best thing you can do is to use it many times as much as possible. The climate effects of creating a canvas tot are many times more intense than making a paper or plastic bag. But the more you use any item you use, the smaller it becomes its environmental footprint.
Then, if you choose a paper option, once you do it, recycle it or make manure.
If you choose the option of fabric, research is constantly designed before purchasing.
For now, some people cannot avoid receiving plastic bags. It includes people who rely on instaccart or other delivery services, now defaults for heavy plastic versions sold in the store. In that case, try to reuse the bag as often as possible to carry the goods, empty the garbage cans, line your waste …
You can also support legislative efforts to make all these types of bag cleaners. And you can tell your favorite stores to prefer the most permanent bag offering.
If the news is that our plastic bag ban has actually made that waste stream worse, then you are feeling discouraged, you are definitely not alone. And this is not the only time when the environmentalists have gone with the best intentions only with a route, only to find out that the pivot was not working according to the plan. So I want to hear from you.
Are there other examples of time when you have changed your behavior or routine in the hope of doing the right thing for the planet, only to find out that there were unexpected results? How did you navigate it? Does it discourage you from taking action in future?
If you are ready to talk on any of these issues, please reach me [email protected]You can see yourself in a story very soon!
PS was some interesting tidbits how separate demographics see the natural environment of climate and California in a new nationwide Los Angeles Times survey. Most particularly, 64% of Americans and 76% California residents stated that they were very or somewhat concerned about climate change.
I was interested in seeing that the “Eco Ling Gap”, which I wrote about the previous summer, is still alive and well.
One of us who live here and who likes to love, a surprising figure was that two in 10 stated that California has a poor natural environment compared to most states. This figure climbs three out of 10 for Republican, which shared negative ideas about Golden State in most categories.
Read more about survey results in this story of Noah Burman.
Click here for the cure for this week of environmental news affecting southern California.
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