Aside from being wasteful (do you really need a plastic bag for your box of Altoids?) those annoying plastic grocery store bags fill our landfills or escape into the environment to clog machinery, litter the landscape, and kill wildlife. California tried to ban these bags in 2010, but was defeated by massive lobbying and contributions by the bill’s major opponent… The American Chemistry Council.
Now it’s our turn. A bill in the 2011 Oregon Legislature would make Oregon the first state to ban plastic grocery bags completely. Here are links to stories about California’s efforts, as well as the new Oregon laws. If this is something that moves you, then check any of the websites below for more information. When you’ve studied up, you can click the link to the Oregon League of Conservation Voters to lend your help and support.
“The Majestic Plastic Bag – A Mockumentary” (video)
“The debate paper vs. plastic is more aptly named plastic vs. anything is better” by OLCV
“Will Oregon be the first to ban the bag?” by Meridith Shield
“First hearing for Ore. bill to ban plastic bags” by Jeff Barnard, AP
“Two huge victories for Ban the Bag” by Meridith Shield
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
SPECIAL NOTE- OLCV invites you to see the documentary “Bag It!”, starting March 4th at the Hollwood Theater. Here’s the scoop…
WHAT: Bag It Oregon! The Movie, The Bill, The Chance
WHEN: 7 PM Friday 3/4 – Thursday 3/10, plus 5 PM on Saturday 3/5 and Sunday 3/6
WHERE: Hollywood Theater 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. in Portland
COST: $7 (Seniors and Kids 4-12 $4)
WEBSITE for more information: http://www.bagitoregon.com/
The grand premiere – on Friday March 4th– will include live music, fashion, and a discussion after the show with local leaders.
Proceeds for Bag It Oregon will go toward host organizations working to ban the bag – Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Environment Oregon, and Surfrider Foundation, with Willamette Riverkeeper, Tualatin Riverkeeper, Recycling Advocates, and the Audubon Society.
Sign the Petition…
Ban the Bag! Tell your legislators to support Senate Bill 536
Oregon has an opportunity to lead the nation in protecting the economy and the environment from plastic bag pollution. Please tell your legislators to support the ban of single-use plastic checkout bags. Click here to take action now.
Problem:
Single-use plastic bags represent one of the greatest environmental problems of our generation. Plastic bags comprise 12 percent of the sea-borne garbage on Oregon’s beaches and plastic makes up 90 percent of the toxic trash soup that spirals off the Oregon Coast. Plastic bags also damage municipal water and recycling facilities. Cities, counties and countries all over the world are using bag bans to address the problem of single-use plastic bags.
Solution:
The Oregon Conservation Network is urging the Oregon State Legislature to pass Senate Bill 536, which promotes bans plastic checkout bags and reusable bags.
Action Needed:
Make your voice heard! Email your elected legislators to let them know that you support banning single-use plastic bags in Oregon. Let’s be the first state to take this action! Please take action by March 31st.
