The Recycling Advocate - June 22, 2010 - Vol. 15, Num. 3


 


In the battle to ban plastic bags, AB 1998 passed out of the Assembly and will be heard in Senate Environmental Quality Committee next week.

AB 1998 would end the distribution of single-use plastic bags at grocery and pharmacies effective January 2012 and convenience stores effective July 2013.

Consumers will be encouraged to bring their own, reusable bags. Paper bags with high levels (40% postconsumer) recycled content, would also be available for a minimum sales price of 5 cents.

"These so-called 'free bags' are an environmental and economic nightmare," said CAW Executive Director Mark Murray. "Californians use and discard more than 2 million plastic bags every minute of every day, and many of those end up as pollution in our parks, streams and ocean."

The bill to ban plastic bags in California is authored by Assembly Member Brownley, and has support from a coalition of environmental groups, grocery stores, and labor groups.

In addition, the following bills that have made it out of their house of origin:

  • AB 2398 (John Perez), which will create carpet producer stewardship program, will be heard Senate Environmental Quality Committee next week.  TAKE ACTION! Send a support letter!
  • SB 1100 (Corbett), which will create household battery stewardship program, will be heard in Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on 6/29.
  • SB 1454 (DeSaulnier), which sets biodegradability standards of plastic products, passed  in Assembly Natural Resources Committee yesterday.
  • AB 2137 (Chesbro), which encourages the expansion of markets for compost by allowing composters to disclose the nutrient content of their product to their customers will next be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.


Unfortunately, the following bills did not make it out of their house of origin and will be deferred to another legislative session:

  • SB 920 (Yee), which would have helped reduce waste and taxpayer costs by making it easier for consumers to opt-out of receiving unwanted directories, died on the Senate Floor.
  • AB 2176 (Blumenfield), which would have established convenient fluorescent light recycling system in California, was held in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
  • AB 2139 (Chesbro) would have created a producer responsibility program for the following covered products: medical sharps, pesticide, and nonrefillable propane cylinder. AB 2139 died on the Assembly floor.
  • SB 1052 (Oropeza), which would have improved e-waste management for state agencies, was held in Senate Appropriations Committee.


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