ConservingNow Community Change

ConservingNow.com is pleased to see that these Central Coast government officials are taking the lead to not only rid the environment of a major source of litter and waste, but are also dedicated to clean up of the plastic mess on the shores of the Pacific Ocean.  It is clear from this article that the officials at the meeting are taking the issue very seriously and are determined to do what is right for the environment as well as for their citizens.  That's certainly making a difference! 

"Many came away from Friday's summit believing that banning the products is the best solution.

'Bans aren't the best public policy," said Jeff Lindenthal, public education and recycling manager for the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. "But some products are so egregious ... we have to send a message.'

Advocates said plastics make up as much as 90 percent of trash floating in the ocean, and 80 percent of marine litter comes from land. Cleanup on land costs Californians millions of dollars each year.

'The trash in the Pacific is mostly plastic,' said Jim Ayers, vice president of the marine conservation group, Oceana. 'The biggest problem right now are plastic bags, bottles and caps.'

Ayers said the first priority is to eliminate polystyrene, better known by the trade name of Styrofoam, and get rid of single-use bags.

Polystyrene is banned throughout Santa Cruz County, though only Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove have outlawed it in Monterey County. Lindenthal said the Monterey County Board of Supervisors is expected to take up the issue in the fall."

For more information:
http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_13229128