By Heal the Bay
Dear Friends,
After six long years and eight legislative attempts, victory against the plastic bag is ours.
Heal the Bay and a consortium of other nonprofits bagged a huge win last Saturday when the state Legislature approved a ban on the distribution of single-use plastic shopping bags at major retailers throughout the state.
Unlike Big Plastic, we didn’t have a campaign war chest.
But we still prevailed — thanks to popular support.
Our Science and Policy team played the lead role in drafting and enacting bag bans in the city and county of Los Angeles. These earlier ordinances served as models for the statewide bill and created momentum for its passage Saturday.
This work is critical for a healthy L.A., but it isn’t sexy. And it’s not easy.
It takes months of policy review, nuanced negotiation and constant vigilance. It also takes the political and financial support of ocean lovers.
Buoyed by this success, Heal the Bay will focus on a comprehensive statewide solution for trash control:
We seek a strong statewide trash policy that would compel all municipalities to meet strict numeric reductions in the amount of trash they send to our waters.
The fight for a cleaner, healthier ocean continues, but we will continue to face formidable foes. To win more victories like this one, we will need your help more than ever.
Enjoy this moment. We have all worked hard for it.
Start stockpiling reusable bags if you haven't already. Share the great news with your friends, family and colleagues.
You will find shareable bag ban posts on all of our social networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthebayfans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/healthebay
Instagram: http://instagram.com/healthebay
