Original art by Anne Pennypacker, used with her permission. The piece was commissioned by Katie Frazell, anti-plastic warrior who wanted to use her love of turtles to inspire others.
It’s Plastic Free July! We have some updates on progress taking place and ways you can get involved.
Take Action! Comment on Marin County’s Reusable Foodware Ordinance
Marin County has drafted a reusable foodware ordinance, which you can review and comment on. Last month, EAC submitted generally supportive comments on the ordinance, which has been delayed due to the pandemic. Rising sixth graders Reese and Viola helped inspire the County’s action with their work to raise awareness about single-use plastics. Don’t forget to sign their straw petition if you haven’t already. EAC is also working with the County of Marin as part of Clean Marin on the fight against litter and plastic.
State Board Adopts Microplastics Definition
The State Water Board is making progress towards fighting microplastics. Last month, they adopted a definition of microplastics in drinking water. This is the first state definition to focus specifically on microplastics in drinking water.
Ways You Can Help Fight Plastic
With the pandemic, its tough to avoid single-use throw away items when getting food to go or getting groceries. EAC’s Executive Director made a few easy suggestions:
1) Bring your own reusable food ware and mention you do not need cutlery when placing your to-go order. (EAC has some!)
2) If your favorite restaurant or coffee shop has defaulted to using plastic cutlery, encourage them to purchase compostable options until we are out of the pandemic so we do exacerbate our plastic crisis.
3) Bring your own bags when going to the grocery store and leave them in your car or bag your own groceries with reusable bags if your store will allow. When checking out, you can put your items in the cart and then bag them at your car in your own bags to reduce the the use of single use items. (BYOB flyer in Spanish). The provision in Executive Order N-54-20 suspending portions of the statewide single-use carryout bag ban (SB 270 has expired). Stores located in jurisdictions that are subject to the requirements of SB 270 (like Marin) should no longer be distributing single-use carryout bags and should be charging customers when providing reusable grocery bags.
4) This month (and beyond), evaluate purchase decisions based on packaging. Example - If you can’t bring your own bottle, opt for a canned or glass bottled drink over plastic (better for the environment and you!). Becoming aware of the amount of plastic in our lives and the long-term damage it does to the environment is an important step to reduce the amount of trash that will linger for hundreds of years after its single use.
Take Action! Tell your Legislator you Support Bills Like the CA Circular Economy & Plastic Pollution Reduction Act
EAC continues to be actively engaged in fighting plastic pollution including our legislative advocacy at Oceans Day last year in support of SB 54 and AB 1080. While these bills are not currently moving forward, we are hopeful the legislative push against plastic will continue. The California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act would work to eliminate single use packaging and plastic. This bill presents comprehensive solution and empowers Cal Recycle to get us to 75 percent source reduction. You can call your representative and tell them you support legislation like this: Find your CA representative here.
The pandemic has resulted in some push back on the fight against plastic, but we are not giving up and neither should you!
