Second in a series
Re “Rose Slams Poly Ban as ‘Political Gesture’”
Stepping up his criticism of City Council’s vote to ban polystyrene food containers, Steve Rose said that Ballona Creek Renaissance members and fellow environmentalists “live in an unreal world. They think a ban will solve a problem. It won’t.”
The Chamber of Commerce CEO is among an apparent minority who prefer recycling over a prohibition.
“In the early 1970s, recycling was much different than it is today,” Mr. Rose said. “I remember (the olden days) when we had to divide glass into ‘clear,’ ‘green’ or ‘brown.’ Now it is all bundled. Recycling is an evolving process, and that is why it should be considered more than it is.”
Mr. Rose, a former Councilman, also criticized the Council’s decision to outlaw the sale of polystyrene. “It has not stopped the purchase of polystyrene,” he said. “I can sit here in my office or in my home, go on the internet and buy however much polystyrene I want from Target or Party City.”
So what has been achieved by the ban?
Little to nothing, said Mr. Rose. “Banning polystyrene is not as simple as (the Council and environmentalists) think it is,” he said. “These people live in an idealistic world. They think if they accomplish one little thing, their problem is solved.
“They have eliminated the use of polystyrene in a few stores. They have eliminated the use of polystyrene in a few restaurants. That is all.”
