In an article published on November 3, 2016 the environmental alliance Plastic Pollution Coalition informed that on the same day, four non-profit organizations launched the Plastics BAN (Better Alternatives Now) List, which “identifies the most harmful plastic products on the [Californian] market and gives readily-available alternatives.” The four NGOs involved are The 5 Gyres Institute, Clean Production Action, Surfrider Foundation, and UPSTREAM.
Among the top 15 offenders identified by the Plastics BAN List report are food wrappers and containers, plastic bottle caps, and plastic bags. Recommended alternatives include reusable bags and stainless steel articles, as well as bamboo utensils.
This report supported Proposition 67 that called for a final implementation of the ban on the use of plastic bags in California, originally passed by the state’s legislation in 2014 (FPF reported) but then suspended and taken to a referendum to be voted on during the November 2016 elections (FPF reported). According to an article by Gayle S. Putrich, published on November 9, 2016 by Plastics News, the Californian plastic bags ban was finally approved by voters on the U.S. election day (November 8, 2016), and will “essentially go into effect immediately.”
Read more
Plastic Pollution Coalition (November 3, 2016). “Plastics BAN List launched.”
5 Gyres (November 3, 2016). “PLASTICS BAN LIST TO LAUNCH.” (pdf)
Gayle Putrich (November 9, 2016). “Voters approve California bag ban.”
Plastic Pollution Coalition (November 10, 2016). “California defeats big plastic.”
Reference
Eriksen, M., et al. (2016). “The Plastics BAN List.” 5 Gyres, Clean Action Production, Surfrider Foundation, UPSTREAM (pdf)
