Artesia News

City Council advocates voluntary plastic bag ban

As numerous cities throughout the region have implemented mandatory plastic bans, Artesia is looking to do something a little different. Rather than add further regulations on businesses, the City Council is counting on free will.

On November 14, City Council voted to propose a community outreach program to educate the public on the negative impacts of plastic carryout bags and the benefits of reusable bags.

Plastic bags are one of the most numerous pieces of litter in the world, making up about 25 percent of litter in L.A. County alone. This is because in L.A. County about six billion plastic bags are used, which is approximately 600 bags per person. Of these, five percent are recycled and the rest wind up in landfill, beaches, waterways, parks, and roads.

Those that make it into the ocean will most likely wind up contributing to the giant gyres in the Pacific Ocean – vortexes millions of square kilometers wide which are loaded with plastic that has broken down from sunlight. The molecules of plastic do not degrade further and absorb toxins in the water so that a molecule can become toxic to sea life.

In the meantime, finding other uses for these plastic bags is one way to curb the amount that reaches the streets and water ways. Using these bags as wastebasket liners, to pick up after pets, etc. is one way to assure that plastic bags are not used

Reusable canvas bags on the other hand, are the preferred alternative to using plastic bags. Canvas bags are more durable, and since they are meant to be kept permanently are not significant sources of pollution.

Soon, the City will be distributing free canvas bags at city events, and at city facilities, for its environmentally-conscious citizens.