The United States go through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually.Plastic shopping bags present a true environmental dilemma. One on hand, they are more convenient, economical and use less water and energy to produce than paper bags. On the other hand, they contaminate our landfills, do not biodegrade and are made from a nonrenewable resource: petroleum.

In New York, efforts to curb the use of plastic bags and make their manufacture more sustainable have repeatedly stalled; last year, four such bills were introduced in the state Senate and Assembly and none passed both houses.

Fortunately, local communities are stepping up to the plate. In late November, Suffolk County passed the state’s first law mandating the recycling of plastic bags. Earlier in the month, the New York City Council introduced a similar bill that also requires large retailers to make reusable bags available for purchase as an alternative to disposable ones.

Suffolk County’s version, introduced by Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley, is officially known as the “Plastic Bag Reduce, Recycle, Reuse Measure.” It is designed to encourage the use of reusable bags, reduce the consumption of single-use carryout bags and establish a recycling program for plastic bags. As Horsley puts it: “By promoting reusable bags, grocers can cut spending, generate new revenues and provide shoppers with a durable product."

Labor leaders, industry leaders and environmental advocates including the New York League of Conservation Voters joined legislators in supporting the measure. It passed the Suffolk County Legislature on Nov. 20, and is expected to be signed by County Executive Steve Levy.

Following suit, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and eight other Council members introduced a similar measure in New York City. The Big Apple’s version requires merchants with 5,000 square feet or more to establish an in-store plastic bag recycling program and provide a collection bin near the entrance, make reusable bags available for purchase and stock only bags printed with the words “Please return this bag to a participating store for recycling” in large print. The legislation also calls for collecting information on the quantity of bags collected and recycled.

“This legislation will remove a significant number of bags from our waste stream, before they end up polluting our soil and water. It will also reduce the number of new bags produced from scratch, cutting down on the unnecessary use of oil that pollutes our air and creates greenhouse gases,” Quinn said.

Feedback on the legislation, which the New York League of Conservation Voters supports, was positive during a public hearing on Nov. 29. A vote will most likely be held in the coming weeks.

Other localities around the nation are contemplating similar measures. San Francisco was the first city in the nation to ban plastic bags outright in large grocery stores and pharmacies. Other cities are considering a ban include Baltimore, Boston, New Haven and Phoenix.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- December 2007