Last week’s GREEN CONNECTION newsletter from the City of Charleston highlighted a growing concern in our region: Plastic Bag Waste.
The reality of plastic bags is not as simple as their usage. Every year Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags, with less than 5% recycled. It is estimated that every square mile of the ocean contains 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to fully break down causing disruptions in ecosystems, as well as direct harm to species through ingestion or entanglement . The production of plastic bags requires petroleum, along with other natural gases and chemicals that are toxic to the air. The amount of petroleum used to make a single plastic bag would propel a car about 377 feet.
Fortunately, efforts to address the issue are gaining momentum.
Check out the informative video clip, action alert, and resources below.
- The plastic ocean: Worldwide pollution drives local research [article]
- IOP Bans Plastic Bags [article]
- Ban the Bag Charleston [facebook]
- Ban the Bag Folly Beach [facebook]
- Ban the Bag Mt. Pleasant [facebook] | Ban the Bag MTP Petition
ACTION ALERT from the Coastal Conservation League:
[GOOD CREDIT] PLEASE SHARE:Plastic bag manufacturers are now targeting local governments, despite SC being a “home rule” state. The plastic bag lobby is pushing for a bill in the legislature that would prevent towns and cities from enacting their own local waste-reduction solutions, including banning plastic bag bans. (Think of it as a ban on plastic bag bans.)
Our coastal towns and cities deserve to make their own decisions about what’s in their communities’ best interest.
Stand up for our environment today by asking your state representative to vote NO on H.3378.
