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Giant Turtle Lobbies For Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags by Ryan ZumMallen | Archive | 08.17.10 |
+  Photo by Daniel DeBoom 3:20pm | A giant sea turtle appeared in the courtyard of Long Beach City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, pleading with the human race to ban single-use plastic bags in California because they pose a threat to his environment. Graceful in the sea but rather clumsy on land, the 25-foot long turtle used his massive flippers to drag himself out of the water, across Ocean Blvd. and onto the steps of City Hall, confusing onlookers all the way. Ok, not really. But a giant inflatable sea turtle did join some City officials and environmentalists to support AB 1998, which would ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores throughout California because they do not break down and are very harmful to the environment, particularly marine animals. The State Senate will likely vote on the bill in the next two weeks. Governor Schwarzenegger has expressed his support for the bill if it reaches his desk. If passed into law, California would become the first state in the country to ban single-use plastic bags. "Long Beach supports the passage of AB 1998 as a means of addressing the negative impact of single-use bags upon our marine environment and community health," 2nd District City Councilmember Suja Lowenthal said at the event. Advocate group Environment California estimates that 267 species of animals are affected by plastic bags every year, and the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle was used as a main example. They easily mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, a main prey item, and will eat the harmful bags. The Turtle Islands Restoration Network estimates that one-third of adult turtles have ingested plastic, and the species' population has declined by 95% in the last twenty years. "Every year in California, we use 19 billion bags - enough to get to the moon 15 times," said Gina Goodhill of Environment California. "Nothing that we use for 5 minutes should pollute the ocean for 500 years." In the meantime, if you're looking for ways to do your part, do what I do and just save your plastic bags. I keep a few in the trunk for quick grocery runs. I've also got a few canvas bags that I try to remember to bring with me.   Click here to read our policy on covering the Long Beach City Council.
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20 Comments so far.
Judy C. Great bill! Please support it and lets pray it passes! Ryan P Only CA could come up with something as ridiculous as this! This is why we need a part time legislature! The banning of plastic bags (which have been around for ages and -gasp- sea turtles are still around) requires small businesses and mom n pop restaurants to find a "legal" alternative to plastic bags, costing them more money and ultimately costing the customer more money. How do you have a grand opening celebration for a local gourmet grocer on Pine one day and then support something that kills small businesses the next day? hannah Unfortunately, Ryan P offers no valid points. This bill would ultimately save money as local governments and nonprofits spend approx. 25 million each year cleaning up plastic pollution. Plus, small business all over CA are, in fact, in support of the bill (Environment CA gathered 500 signatures). P.S. CA isn't the first to recognize the disgusting effects of single-use plastic consumption. Ever been to Europe? Evelyn Z The bill actually applies to big grocery stores and pharmacies and doesn't come into effect till 2013, giving people a grace period to get used to the change. Also, its not just about the sea turtles--our oceans are overrun with trash and is costing $25 million of our tax dollars to clean up. I suggest people actually read the bill before passing judgments. David F How about stop littering? Eagle Eye to Ryan Answer - because liberals are oblivious to reality. Here we are two years later, after the "savior" has come, and things are worse than ever. Has this even made them re-consider an OUNCE of their positions on anything? L to the no! I think it's great to be environmentally conscious, but these loons never want to do that in a realistic manner. That makes them and their schemes as worthless as can be. Here's a proposal, why not come up with degradeable plastic bags?!?! That way the small businesses aren't punished, nor are the consumers. I'm no "plastic bag expert", but I use the plastic bags from grocery shopping as trash bags afterward. If they take away the grocery plastic bags, then I'll be buying other plastic, for trash. Hey, at least we still have this wonderful aquarium right?!?! At the end of the day, that makes being a liberal ALLLLLLLLL worth it. Can I get a big collective sigh and hug! Kumbayahhhhhhhhhhhhh Vern So, Ryan, were does the obligation start for responsible use of plastic bags? If it doesn't go away for 500-1000 years don't you think eventually something, at the very least, will happen? If the success of a mom n' pop shop rests on the minute financial difference between using plastic instead of paper, the store probably has bigger things to be concerned with in how it operates. Janssen Eagle Eye, Though your comment was so thought out and well educated, I just have a few things for you to think on: Although "degradeable" plastic bags may seem like a good idea to you, biodegradable plastic bags made of vegetable starches already exist, and do not in fact biodegrade in the ocean because the key bacteria that occurs in compost piles are slightly different than the environmental makeup of the Pacific. Also, at no point are small businesses ever punished by this law. Small businesses spend an estimated $1500-6000 on plastic bags every month that they then give away for free. The 500 small businesses that have signed Environment California's petition for AB1998 agree that selling a reusable bag that is environmentally friendly in their store is a much better option and actually saves them money. And even though I'm sure you throw away 500 plastic grocery bags worth of garbage every year, as it sounds like you aren't a 'recycler', the trash you throw away then sits in a dump for 500-1000 years, seeping chemicals into the Earth as photo-degradation occurs. And on a final note, not all liberals sing kumbayah. I happen to love the aquarium. And even though you don't seem to care much about the livelihood of yourself, fellow human beings, or the rest of the planet, the ocean is the reason why there is life on Earth, and unfortunately people like you can exist and reproduce. Your comment made me want to throw up in my mouth. underconsume THANK YOU hannah!!! The ultimate answer is to stop being lazy and BRING YOUR OWN RE-USABLE BAG! IKEA did the optional/buyable bag years ago and (gasp!) they're still around and still SUPER CHEAP! Come on Ryan P... Ryan P Reusable bags are filled with bacteria after being reused many times. PROOF: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theappetizer/archive/2009/05/20/back-to-plastic-reusable-grocery-bags-may-pose-public-health-risk.aspx Ryan P A responsible use of the plastic bag would be to use it for its intedned pupose and then recycle it. Grocery stores have a "recycle your plastic bag here" bin. Bring all of your plastic bags to that location and utilize it. Problem solved. No ban needed. Chris This is a great bill. As a guy who drives a truck for a living, I hate seeing plastic bags all over our highways, beaches and parks. Also, I like the way that both Republicans and Democrats are getting behind this issue of keeping America Beautiful. My biggest concern is making sure that when my nephew comes back from Afganistan, that he can hunt, fish and do all the things he likes becuase we have protected America for him while he is over there protecting freedom for us. I also want to make sure that my kids have some fish left in the Ocean so I can pass down the traditions that my father and grandfather taught me about getting food from the sea, but at the same time protecting it. God Bless America!!! Eagle Eye to Janssen Janssen, you sound like a good little liberal. You hit on all the politically correct notions, while at the same time did not hesitate to make the condescending stereotypes towards a non-liberal. I'm sure the liberal council is proud, and pinning (yet another) brownie button on you as we speak. Just for your info though (and not sure if reality matters to you, but what the heck, I'll give it a shot), I recycle everything that I can. I also care about the environment. Outside of recycling however, there is still trash that needs to be disposed of. Using open paper bags, is not a solution (for obvious reasons to all who live outside the liberal bubble of utopian bliss, and in the REAL world). This is where the plastic bags are used. IF you or any of your other liberal 'hug a tree' pals have a REALISTIC solution, other than plastic bags, stop your preachy little diatribes and speak up. By the way, you love the aquarium? Gosh what a shocker!! SHO glad we have dat, instead of a stadium for an NFL football team, concerts, and other big events!! Heck, who needs jobs when we can all be better people right?!?! To HECK with all this unemployment talk Janssen! You and me baby!! Aquarium forevaa!!!!!!! Eagle Eye Just one question... how come when it involves making a BUSINESS do something, you liberals are all over it, yet when it has to do with making GOVT do something, LIKE FIX THE POLLUTION IN THE LA RIVER, y'all are nowhere to be found? I'm sure that's just a coincidence tho. ;-| Eagle Eye Oh yeah Janssen, and here's something else to make you "throw up in your mouth" - the "ocean" isn't a reason why there is life on Earth.... GOD is. Enjoy your day. Terrie I agree that this bill is rediculous. Those bags are recycleable! Not only that..but, we use aluminum cans and nobody is talking about banning cans! We recycle them! Instead of making everyone's life complicated, let's just stick those bags in the recycler. As if I don't have enough things to worry about besides remembering to bring my own freaking bag when I go to the store!! Give me a break! When I am spending 150 bucks a week on food, I expect a bag to haul my groceries in!! Manny If people lived responsibly the sea turtle would never have a problem. We need to address the ways and reasons why these bags are getting in the places they are. People need to be held more accountable for their trashy 3rd world habits. Its just a matter of time where a someone will just invent plastic disposable mesh bags for grocery stores, or a study be released that talks about the amount of paper fibers that are floating around in the middle of the ocean in a formation the size of Alaska. Paper bags, the only other "single use" alternative, are heavier, thicker, and take up more volume than its similar counter part, and will cost more and will put more trucks on the road and burn more fuel, not very green. And just imagine if one of those reusable bags ended up in the ocean the tortoise doesn't have a chance. Eagle Eye All I'm saying is that I'm tired of liberals hopping up on their "I know better than you" soapbox, to give a lecture, but as always, they give NO SOLUTIONS. It's easy to talk and run your mouth. DOING something is another story. (precisely why Obama SOUNDS great, but the country's in worse shape than ever) We could all use these "reusable bags" for grocery shopping, but that's not gonna change the fact that we need bags for regular trash at home. As I stated before, at least I use the same bags from the store as trash bags.... but hey, if someone has a better solution - LET IT BE KNOWN!!! I see though, that beyond all the self-righteous grandstanding, not one liberal loon "concerned about the environment and the sea turtle", has uttered a peep. Why am I not surprised? just askin.. Dear plastic ban organizers: What exactly is that fake giant turtle made of and where exactly will it go to live when the fanfare is over? Augustus F. I believe that there is a need to ban the use of plastic bag.It brought disadvantages in relation to our environment. The consumer advocacy group Consumer Freedom has released a new report about re-usable shopping bags. The report identifies re-usable plastic bags as a lead exposure risk. This risk is especially pertinent because some cities are banning single-use bags.
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Ryan ZumMallen has served as the managing editor of the LBPOST.com since 2007. He graduated from CSULB with a degree in Print Journalism in 2008 and is a member of the 2009 class of Leadership Long Beach. You can find him on various basketball courts around the city.
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