San Francisco approves first-in-nation ban on plastic bags

[Guest guest]

San Francisco approves first-in-nation ban on plastic bags

 

San Francisco is the first U.S. city to pass a ban on non-recyclable plastic

bags at major supermarkets and drugstores. Once it's signed into law, the stores

will have six months to a year to sack the sacks, switching to compostable,

recyclable ones made from corn or potato starch -- or reverting to recyclable

paper. " We can take steps to make our economy a little more soulful, " said

lawmaker and ban author Ross Mirkarimi. " Hopefully, other cities and other

states will follow suit. " Similar bans are in place in South Africa, Taiwan,

Bangladesh, and Paris. Noting that his city's businesses hand out 180 million

plastic bags a year, Mirkarimi asked, " Why did we have to obligate [stores] to

do this? Why didn't they do it voluntarily? It's like waiting for the auto

manufacturers to increase gas efficiency. " The California Grocers Association

raised some half-hearted concerns -- it'll cost more! it'll confuse shoppers!

compostable bags suck! -- but all we hear is that Charlie

Brown teacher voice.

 

straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Charlie Goodyear, 28 Mar

2007

 

 

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, John M. Glionna, 28 Mar 2007