Save The Plastic Bag Coalition is suing San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority, seeking a writ of mandate to set aside, void, annul, repeal and terminate the implementation and enforcement of the IWMA’s ordinance fully adopted on Jan. 11, 2012. The new ordinance states that grocery stores, pharmacies and other big box stores charge at least .10 cents for single use bags as of Oct. 1, 2012. San Luis Obispo County wants to see consumers using reusable shopping bags instead of purchasing single use bags.
Save the Plastic Bags was formed on June 3, 2008, by Stephen Joseph, along with several plastic bag and reusable bag manufacturers for the purpose of responding to the numerous negative statistics that appeared regarding the environmental impacts of plastic bags and the environment. There are all sorts of statistics floating around on the internet and Joseph wants EIR’s (Environmental Impact Reports) done in every city to validate statistics before bans are voted on. The problem cities have completing an EIR is that they are expensive and lengthy, and the impacts of single use plastic bags on the environment are evident without the reports.
The next City Council meeting will be held on February 14th. The council will discuss the law suit in closed session which will occur at the end of the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to speak during either during community forum or prior to closed session. The trend to use reusable grocery bags is spreading among eco-friendly conscious communities. For more on this story, go to Paso Robles Press.com.
Speak Your Mind
You must be logged in to post a comment.