ConservingNow Community Change

From July 1, 2007, the government passed a law that stated that the manufacture, import and use of plastic bags thinner than 30 microns will be banned. All other polythene will be subject to a 120% tax.

“Toronto, Canada’s most populated city, is now charging consumers five cents for every plastic bag requested from a retailer in an effort to reduce the consumption of disposable packaging. The law took effect on June 1 and is part of Toronto’s commitment to achieve a 70 percent waste diversion rate.”

Often seen as a progressive city, San Francisco took the initiative in 2007 to ban plastic bags from large supermarkets and chain pharmacies in the city and county of San Francisco.

In 2005, Rwanda banned plastic bags less than 100 microns thick and backed this up with public awareness campaigns.

The black plastic bag has disappeared from the capital of Kigali. Additionally, in 2004, thousands of people were encouraged to take the day off work to help pick up some of the plastic bags which littered the country.

Looking for an easy way* to recycle your old or used plastic bags?

These are a couple of excellent websites for locating your nearest recycling center, which in most instances will be your nearest grocery store.

http://earth911.com/
On Earth911, you can enter your state, city or zip code in order to locate your nearest recycling center.

10 December 2006

The city of Paris has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags in large stores as of 2007, in an effort to cut down on pollution.

The City of Lights is hardly the first to tackle its plastic woes. From Paris, Lisa Bryant reports for VOA that from Ireland to South Africa, the throwaway bag is heading for the dustbin - of history.

In January 2008, New York City passed a bill requiring that large retailers and chain shops using plastic bags recycle them for consumers.

Currently, New Yorkers are using 1 billion bags per year. Having convenient recycling facilities will greatly help cut down on the waste and litter from all those bags.

For more information:

The City of New Delhi, India has taken a different approach to banning plastic bags.

In a new law passed in January 2009, Delhi has made it illegal for citizens to carry plastic bags or use them for waste. If you are caught carrying a plastic bag, you could be jailed or fined.

“As from March [1], 2009 it becomes illegal for shops, small and large, to give away plastic bags. Only the transparent, no hands, small bags given with bread and food from the counter can be dispensed free. All other bags must be sold.”

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/02/22/vince.html

Much of the focus of this blog has been about cities around the world. What about a city closer to home - what about closer to your home?