Hi all,
Here are a few links to educate and entertain you, regarding the recent ban of the common plastic bag at large grocery and pharmacy stores/chains in San Francisco.
Paper vs. Plastic - the jury is still out
http://www.epa.gov/region1/communities/shopbags.html
Before the vote... and some other "interesting" SF-BoS resolutions:
http://www.examiner.com/a-636866~Plastic_bag_ban_just_part_of_S_F__green_wave.html
Couldn't happen here... could it? (Seven years in jail for 'environmentally incorrect' bags.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3132387.stm
Let's make sure that there are no "industry driven remedies," for heaven's sake!:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_page.asp?id=36255
The latest version, that passed(???)
http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/070085.pdf
On a lighter note, "Bag-snaggers" is a job I hadn't known of before:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9248758
The Greens are already on it:
http://www.gp.org/press/states/ca/ca_2007_03_27.shtml
Compostable bags being mandated world-wide:
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=12732
But, they are not recycleable, and can actually hurt recycling of plastics if mixed in:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003639195_bags28.html
And, don't forget, SF also has the Food Service Waste Reduction resolution (i.e., Styrofoam ban) going into effect June 1, 2007. Hope you like your take-home soup cold. At least restaurants can still use plastic bags (for now):
http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/oca/FoodServiceWasteReductionOrdinanceFAQs.pdf
Sorry about the long links!
Rich