plastic reduction

The San Francisco chapter of Surfrider is actively involved in encouraging community members and local businesses to reduce their use of plastic.

Surfrider Foundation, along with other environmental organizations and members of the public, went to a
Hearing for the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance at City Hall, on March 8, 2007.  We were there to support
the passage of this very important ordinance.

The Environmental Toll
The San Francisco Department of the Environment estimates that the United States uses 12 million barrels of oil annually to make 30 billion plastic bags. They estimate that San Francisco uses between 50 and 100 million bags a year, which accounts for about 2 percent of the city's waste and leads to annual cleanup costs of about $8.4 million.

Plastic bags often end up in our oceans, which are mistaken for food and eaten by marine animals. These plastics cannot be digested and eventually animals starve to death with a stomach full of plastic. According to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, it is estimated that 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic consumption.

See http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308505 for great videos on the mass of plastic in the Pacific Ocean.

The History
On January 23, 2006 Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced the Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance, which will require supermarkets in San Francisco to use compostable checkout bags instead of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable plastic bags. The ordinance affects supermarkets with more than $2 million in gross receipts, which will include approximately the fifty-four largest markets in the City, such as Safeway, Albertson, Andronico's, Cala Foods, CalMart, Bell Markets, and Mollie Stone's.

In November 2005, the California Grocers Association worked with Mayor Newsom to create a voluntary Plastic Bag Reduction Plan to eliminate 10 million bags and increase in-store recycling. Arguably, they came up short toward the agreed upon objective. Despite the best intentions that may have motivated the voluntary reduction agreement, Supervisor Mirkarimi believes that the best course of action is to advance legislation that puts San Francisco's best interests first.

Where it Stands
Currently, 6 members of the Board of Supervisors have signed on to be co-sponsors of the ordinance. From the meeting on March 8th, it looks like this important ordinance will pass.  However, Supervisor Alioto is pushing to include ALL stores, so that any store that uses plastic bags will be required to change their use.

March 27, 2007 Update - San Francisco 's Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 this afternoon to make the city the first in the nation to prohibit petroleum-based plastic checkout bags in large markets and pharmacies.

On the first of two votes needed for final passage, supervisors approved legislation sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi that would mandate the use of biodegradable plastic bags or recyclable paper bags. The legislation will take effect in about six months for some 50 large markets in San Francisco and will apply in about 12 months to large drugstore chains such as Walgreen's and Rite-Aid.

"Hopefully, other cities and states will follow suit," said Mirkarimi.

Aside from the petroleum required to manufacture them, plastic bags are blamed for gumming up recycling machines, taking up space in landfills and killing or sickening marine mammals.

Supervisor Ed Jew, who said he has heard from constituents wondering why supervisors have spent so much time on the issue of plastic bags, was the only member to vote against the legislation.

How to Help
The battle has been won, but the war will continue for some time. There are several ways that you can help keep this momentum going:

• Ask your local grocer what their plans are for the change. Make sure they are prepared to switch in the near future.
  
• Stay in touch with the latest news. Be prepared to get involved if things are not progressing in the time frame promised by the city.
  
• Know your Supervisor. Watch what they are doing, how they are voting, and don't be afraid to write them a letter stating your opinions if they're doing something you disagree with.
  
• Reduce your use: This ordinance is a great step in the right direction, but there are still several other forms of plastic that never get recycled and end up in landfills and our oceans. Reduce your use of all plastics and encourage others to do the same.

Learn More:
A useful Q&A on plastic bags (Word Doc)
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
LA Times Plastics Article
Sierra Club Plastics Article
Sign a Petition to help support this ordinance
CNN Coverage on San Francisco's Plastic Bag Ban

If you have an interest in this area please contact:

Michelle S. Pappe
SF Surfrider Foundation
415-552-6200
415-552-6521 fax
michellep@sfsufrider.org