The article in the url below is useful because it maps out legislation to constrain the use of plastic across the U.S., state-by-state:
"Maine and Vermont just passed statewide bans on plastic bags, while Orlando, Fla., and Palo Alto, Calif., have both pushed through local restrictions on plastics this month."
What does this mean in the aggregate?
"Since the start of 2019, 200 bills related to single-use plastics have been introduced in state legislatures, according to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators."
The rest of the article focuses on identifying the differences among the various laws and regulations, highlighting areas where they are working and, also, areas where there are problems. I am particularly interested in the unintended consequences of laws passed as a result of good intentions. For example, one benefit of single-use plastics (and the main reason they spread) is hygiene. In applications like medical devices, this can mean life or death, in terms of consumer goods, it has become more convenient than anything else. Either way, there are consequences of eradicating these essential items without finding a comparable alternative:
"Plastic bags help protect people from illnesses brought on by contact with meat or produce, said Grant Kidwell, director of the energy, environment and agriculture task force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. The nonprofit, comprised of conservative state legislators, helped produce a model for pre-emptive legislation prohibiting plastics bans."
I also have sympathy with the argument that we are taking baby steps here. Partly, this is due to the complexity of replacing fossil fuels in our lives, but it is also because we want to convince ourselves we are doing something without having to make any real sacrifices:
"Matt Seaholm, executive director of the American Progressive Bag Alliance, which represents plastic-bag manufacturers and lobbies against bans and fees, said while he is open to having conversations about broader waste-reduction, plastic bags have become a 'low-hanging fruit.'"
Ultimately, the federal system of government in the U.S. means that laws, such as these, that should be uniform throughout the country are, instead, left to each state to decide individually. Add onto that complexity cities and metropolitan areas, which also want a say:
"More city ordinances have helped influence state-level work. At least 414 local ordinances related to plastic bags have been passed in 28 states and Washington, D.C., according to … plasticbaglaws.org, a website that tracks these issues."
The result is almost always a more confused, and therefore less effective, approach to something we should be tackling comprehensively and together:
"'If we just continue on this path toward banning everything, you end up with a hodgepodge of local laws that don't work for consumers, don't work for businesses and miss the mark on the environment,' Mr. Seaholm said."
Take care
David
David Chandler
© Sage Publications, 2020
Instructor Teaching and Student Study Site: http://studysites.sagepub.comstudy.sagepub.com/chandler5e
The library of CSR Newsletters are archived at: https://strategiccsr-sage.blogspot.com/
Curbs on Plastic Items Take Root in Many States
Curbs on Plastic Items Take Root in Many States
By Jennifer Calfas
June 24, 2019
The Wall Street Journal
Late Edition – Final
A3
