On Tuesday, January 25th the City of Santa Monica unanimously voted to pass an ordinance to ban the plastic bag. Recently the city completed a final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Single-use Carryout Bag Ordinance to analyze the nature and extent of the Project’s potential impact on the surrounding environment.
This ordinance was considered by the council for over two years. But a lawsuit from the American Chemistry Council delayed the ban stating a environmental impact report was required to show that plastic bags are a detriment to our environment.
Santa Monica Mirror reported “Juli Schulz of the Surfrider Foundation, who said she spoke on behalf of 5,000 members, applauded Santa Monica’s ban. She said, “We’re out there cleaning up the beaches and the number one thing we’re picking up are bags. They are not recycled; they are blowing in the wind; they are out there killing seabirds and animals. We’re sick of it.”
Marin County voted to ban the bag on the same day. Next up is Calabasas who is meeting on February 1st to consider a ban.
The Impacts of Single-Use Carryout Bags
Santa Monica retail establishments distribute approximately fifty million (50,000,000) single-use carryout bags each year.
They contribute to:
- increased litter (including storm drain, marine and beach pollution), that persists in the environment for decades
- green house gas emissions
- Santa Monica’s residents and other taxpayers pay the clean-up costs and landfill fees
