ConservingNow Community Change

California Assembly Member Brownly has introduced legislation calling for a state-wide ban on plastic bags.  Additionally, the legislation would authorize retailers to charge for paper bags, up to $.25.  The bill is AB 1998 and was introduced on Feb.

Lois Kazakoff: On plastic bags and political will.  Lois writes about what is going to make a society change their opinion and laws about plastic bags.  Money, tourism and jobs.  Kazakoff, in a tiny editorial, writes that although plastic bags are not a priority for many tiny island nations - jobs and tourism certainly are.  And nothing will dampen tourism like a large

The city of Santa Cruz, California is considering banning plastic bags.  They are inspired by their neighbor cities and want to see if they can pass similar restrictions in their city.  This is what we at ConservingNow have been talking about when we say, "Together We Can Make a Difference".  It means taking cues from one another, listening, watching and seeing what wor

A quick search on plastic bags this morning reveals a major debate happening amongst the citizens of Maine.  Maine is considered following in the footsteps of a similar bill in the state of Washington, and taxing plastic bags.  A local television station asked its readers to comment on whether or not they would like to see a $.10 charge for the plastic bags they would use when shoppin

Its not just cities that are trying to rid themselves of plastic bags.  States are trying as well.  Recently, a state senator from Oregon proposed legislation banning plastic bags statewide.

Facing anti-plastic bag legislation nationwide, many stores have taken the initiative to reduce their plastic bag consumption voluntarily.  Publix grocery store is one such retailer.  Here is summary of many of the changes they have been making:

The News Herald reported last week on an environmental study about plastic bags in Florida.  Sure, there isn't much new in the report - and by that I mean there isn't much we don't already know about the dangers and pollution of plastic bags.  But there are some excerpts that are worth reposting here.

Its been one month since the D.C. bag tax and the Washington Post is reporting that the tax is forcing consumers to bring their bags!  In an article last week, the Post shows that with some incentive people are more than willing to bring their bags.  "They are getting used to bringing their own, even if they have to rush back to their cars to retrieve them. D.C.