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Will California become the first state to reduce and phase out single-use plastics?
According to AB-1080 California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act , the answer is hopefully, YES!
If it passes, this bill will require all single-use packaging and products that are distributed or sold in California to be recyclable or compostable on and after 2030.
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Remember, scientists have said that if we don’t make serious changes, 2035 may be the year it is “too late” to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Some other flaws in this policy is that it focuses too much on recycling plastic, and not eliminating plastic altogether in favor of compostable, plant-based materials. But this is still a step in the right direction.
Finally, the burden of waste disposal is not on the consumer. Some people are simply not aware that zero waste is even a concept, that recycling is NOT sustainable, or that we can actually live less expensive lives by switching to zero waste habits. Many of us are still relying on flimsy single-use plastic bags to scoop our bulk food into, which is one step forward and two steps back.
It’s time to make the corporations accountable!
“The thrust of this legislation is to make the producers responsible for creating a circular economy when it comes to plastic packaging,” he said. He noted that glass, aluminum and paper have much higher recycling rates, overall, than plastic. “If [plastic] is going to continue to exist, it’s going to have to demonstrate the kind of closed loop recycling capabilities as other materials that we generate.”
– Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste.
Follow the progress of AB-1080, here.
If you want these policies implemented in your community, call your local legislation and demand it!
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Sources:
http://www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1080
Zero Waste California 