Capitol Alert: Assembly Democrat wants grocery store ban on plastic bags

“Assemblyman Marc Levine announced today he will revive a proposal banning all single-use plastic bags in California grocery stores”.

Under the proposal, Assembly Bill 158 would require all grocery retailers to provide paper bags or reusable plastic bags that are offered at a fee by 2015. Low income families (Women, Infant, and Children) participating in the California Special Supplemental Food program at 2015 would receive the bags for free.

Levine, a San Rafael Democrat claimed that single use plastic bags account for approximately 10% of ocean debris.

However controversial plastic bags may be additional study is needed. According the latest data, the sickness and death rate increased about 25 percent in San Francisco after the ban on plastic grocery bags took effect. The authors noted that plastic bag ban statistically has significant effect on increasing death rate by up to 46% by intestinal bacteria (especially those related to E. coli) due to reuse of contaminated bags. They added that “Bag bans in San Francisco resulted conservatively in 5.4 annual additional deaths.”

After implementing the plastic bag ban the amount of plastic bag litter was decreased by 18% in San Francisco. But what is more important to us?  What is our priority, the environment or foodborne illness? How can a compromise be attained as more and more communities throughout the country continue to implement plastic bag bans?

Scientific data suggests that single use plastic is healthier than other products made of glass, stainless steel, reusable woven and non-woven products. For instance, use of single use plastic packaging for medical devices such as syringes, intravenous connectors, catheters, lure locks and stop cocks has been responsible to reducing infectious diseases. The authors pointed out if single-use plastic was re-used as kitchen garbage bags, or for collection of pet fesses, the amount of using plastic will decrease significantly without influence on human health. In addition, the proliferation of plastics in to Environment will decrease dramatically.

The battle between plastic verses paper still continues to keep everyone busy!

Categorised in: EPA