Since cities in the United States recognize the gravity of plastic garbage issue, initiatives are being made to find a solution to handle it effectively. Based on estimates, as many as 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. each year and barely 1 ? 3% of it is recycled. Consequently each and every year adds another 100 billion plastic bags to the escalating heap of plastic waste. Sturdiness is among the most crucial features that have made plastic products preferred. However this property is also precisely why plastic litter has grown to be such a severe problem today. The non biodegradable nature of plastics is the reason why the debris will continue to pollute land and water for hundreds of years. The waste that ends up in landfills can take more than a thousand years to breakdown. Even after that, the broken down small plastic particles can continue to cause pollution.
San Carlos ? The Latest Bay Area City Considering Ban on Plastic and Styrofoam
Several bay area cities have either already imposed a ban on plastic and Styrofoam or are contemplating one. The cities which currently have the ban in place include San Bruno, South San Francisco, San Francisco, Burlingame, Pacifica, Berkeley, Oakland and Millbrae. As stated by a report in, San Carlos may just be the most recent addition to this list. The city council is entertaining the idea of a ban on foam food containers or plastic bags or even both. Mayor Omar Ahmad and Vice Mayor Andy Klein have demonstrated keen interest in the ban. Mayor Ahmad in fact established a plan of action before his tragic passing last month. The council is most likely to move forward with the same plan if the ban is imposed.
Polystyrene foam is a non recyclable product, that breaks down into small particles and causes harm to wildlife on consumption. San Carlos city council might find banning foam takeout food containers much simpler than a ban on plastic bags. San Mateo County, which just recently got ordinance for ban on foam containers approved by the food service establishment Board of Supervisors, has offered help to other cities in execution of the ban.
Problems in Imposing Ban on Plastic Bags
A ban on plastic bags is usually a problematic matter. In depth environmental studies on the effects of plastic bag ban have to be performed before imposing a ban. Marin County, which enforced a ban on plastic bags, was sued by a group named Save the Plastic Bag Coalition. They contended that a ban on plastic contributes to the increased use of paper bags, that is also environmentally insensitive. Plastic bag bans were successfully imposed in San Jose and Santa Monica since these cities had done mandatory environmental studies. These studies are fairly costly and could not be doable for all cities. Though an ordinance prohibiting the usage of foam containers is almost certain, a ban on plastic bags may need to wait in San Carlos.
Although the authorities are committing to endeavors to identify a solution to plastic litter, good success can?t be predicted without commitment from private businesses and also the general public as well. It is crucial that every person consider it his/her personal responsibility to help with the green cause. Basic changes like companies switching single use paper promo items with seed paper items, and people in general choosing reusable bottles and bags can easily make a huge difference.
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