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Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave

CommentsComment on this article
Mar 24, 2007 3:00 AM (566 days ago) by Joshua Sabatini, The Examiner
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Related Topics: SAN FRANCISCO
Compostable bags required at stores under measure among spate of eco-friendly bills
(Cindy Chew/The Examiner)
Compostable bags required at stores under measure among spate of eco-friendly bills

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco could become the nation’s first city to ban the use of plastic checkout bags by large grocery stores and chain stores with pharmacies, in the latest of several recent City Hall moves aimed at protecting the environment.

The proposed legislation that would ban plastic checkout bags comes among a host of other initiatives, including an easier permitting process to install solar panels, a proposed ban on toxic children’s toys, and a ban on Styrofoam and other polystyrene foam.

The plastic bag ban, which saw some amendments finalized by the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee on Thursday, would require The City’s estimated 54 large grocery stores to use only recyclable paper or compostable plastic bags within six months of the legislation’s adoption. Retail stores with pharmacies that have at least five locations in The City would have one year to comply.

Plastic bags clutter landfills, litter city streets and contaminate The City’s recycling programs, environmentalists and supporters of the legislation say. The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote Tuesday on the ban.

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“I’d like to believe that this is a trend in the direction of making sure that a smart, forward-thinking economy is one that understands its relationship with our environment,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who drafted the plastic bag legislation.

The California Grocers Association has opposed the legislation, arguing that a switch to compostable bags would confuse consumers, who would end up mixing the biodegradable bags in with regular plastics in recycling bins, which would hamper recycling efforts. The association advocates an increased effort to recycle and reduce the use of plastic bags citywide.

Meanwhile, children’s toys that contain the toxic additive phthalates may also wind up being banned in San Francisco, under legislation drafted by Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier. The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on that legislation in two weeks.

These bans would come in the wake of a recent board-approved prohibition on the use of Styrofoam and other brands of polystyrene foam by restaurants and city departments.

This week, The City continued efforts to improve air quality with the Board of Supervisors’ passage of the Clean Construction Ordinance, which requires city contractors to use vehicles that run on biodesiel fuel and have tough emission controls. The ordinance would go into effect 24 months from final adoption.

In addition, Mayor Gavin Newsom called on the Taxicab Commission in his October 2006 State of the City Address to ensure that the entire taxi fleet would include only hybrid, alternative-fuel or other green vehicles by 2011.

Working with Mayor Gavin Newsom, Mirkarimi and Supervisor Tom Ammiano are expected to introduce legislation in the next several weeks that would kick off the process for implementing the so-called Community Choice Aggregation program that would provide local energy customers with a choice between purchasing city-generated electricity, which would be produced primarily through environmentally friendly sources, or energy from private companies.

“I think San Francisco is doing, across the board, some very exciting lawmaking as it relates to our economic environmental principles,” Mirkarimi said.

Environment-friendly legislation

PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION ORDINANCE

Who introduced it? Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi

What would it do? Ban the use of plastic bags by large grocery chains and retail stores with pharmacies that have more than five locations in San Francisco. Would require the use of recyclable paper or compostable plastic bags.

When would it take effect? Six months after adoption for grocery stores, and one year after adoption for retail stores with pharmacies

HEALTHY PRODUCTS, HEALTHY CHILDREN ORDINANCE

Who introduced it? Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier

What would it do? Ban toys, child care products, and child feeding products made with the toxic additive known as phthalates

When would it take effect? Eighteen months from adoption

FOOD SERVICE WASTE REDUCTION ORDINANCE

Who introduced it? Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin

What would it do? Ban the use of Styrofoam and other brands of polystyrene foam by restaurants and city departments.

When does it take effect? June 1

jsabatini@examiner.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

8:05 AM MST on Tue., Sep. 23, 2008 re: "Baltimore City's plastic bag ban dead, for now"

 Nydia said:
I cannot believe with all the problems this city has that our reps are wasting so much time on plastic bags. I use plastic bags because I have pets. I use them in my house for trash. There are many uses for plastic bags and they save me money. If I didn't use the grocery plastic bags I would have to buy them for the purposes I mention above. Our reps should be working on solutions for the crime in this city, wasteful spending, the high cost of food, gas and other issues that affect us, their constituents, more than plastic bags. Plastic bags don't litter people do and we have laws against littering, why aren't they enforced? Shame on you for wasting my tax dollars on this nonsense. Apparently, you folks don’t seem to have a clue about what your constituents need. Open your eyes and take a good look at this city beyond the inner harbor. Deal with the real issues that affect your constituents or perhaps you're not up to the challenges. Stop micro-managing our lives.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

5:35 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008 re: "Annapolis’ proposed plastic bag ban sparks controversy"

 Examiner Reader said:
""" Look at the mounting litter and destruction humans' "freedom of choice" has brought to the environment""" -So am I right in assuming that you would glady give up your freedom of choice, and allow the government to make all of your decisions in order to protect the environment? When will we, as a nation, stop allowing the government to over-regulate every miniscule aspect of our lives? Plastic bags are bad for the environment? Who cares? What about important issues like health care, education, our broken tax code?

5 agree | 3 disagree
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11:53 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 22, 2008 re: "Baltimore City's plastic bag ban dead, for now"

 Examiner Reader said:
What are we dog owners going to do if there is a ban on plastic bags? After all, when one walks his or her little dog one needs to carry a scooper and a plastic bag since the law demands it. Any suggestions? Oh, forget about paper bags since paper bags leak.

4 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
9:19 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 22, 2008 re: "Baltimore City's plastic bag ban dead, for now"

 African American Woman said:
Using paper or plastic both have a negative affect on the environment. What you should be promoting is recycling. One of the ways we can work on keeping the city clean is to bring back the clean block contest they used to have back in the late 60’s and early 70’s but keep it going all year long. The city could also put recycling bins on the corners and classrooms instead of trash cans that you dump anything into.

3 agree | 2 disagree
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8:11 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 22, 2008 re: "Baltimore City's plastic bag ban dead, for now"

 JF said:
"I think the concept is a good concept, but I think the timing happens to be off,” said District 2 Councilman Nicholas D’Adamo Jr. “And keep in mind, bags don’t litter. People do.” What a crock of...the timing is off??? WTH does that mean? Bags don't litter, people do??? Who cares? The problem is plastic! Plastic does not disintegrate into nothing - paper does. This is very disappointing - especially given that 11 of 14 council people voted it down. These people obviously don't represent their non-business voters.

 3 agree | 2 disagree
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5:45 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Examiner Reader said:
You liberals make me laugh , and now we are going to use the trees again!Yes it is a big deal!

 4 agree | 5 disagree
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5:42 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Examiner Reader said:
I'm gonna buy blue bags from a private manufacturer on the net and still use them,HA HA!

 5 agree | 3 disagree
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10:08 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Examiner Reader said:
Whatever happened to global warming and saving trees? Do the tree huggers know about this proposal? Maybe it would be better if city residents just stopped throwing trash everywhere.

 5 agree | 3 disagree
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7:16 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Workin Stiff said:
Way to go Baltimore City Council!! With the city falling apart all around and the residents leaving by the bus load the council tackles the important job -- plastic bags. What a laughing stock the city council is, rampant crime, embarrassingly bad schools, grotesquely high property taxes, a revolving door justice system and recycling trash bags is being discussed.

 6 agree | 4 disagree
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4:44 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Examiner Reader said:
Hey you liberals ! What has happen that you are not saving the trees? This is why we went to plastic , don't you remember? I do!

 3 agree | 3 disagree
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4:28 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 16, 2008 re: "Supermarket plastic bag ban in Baltimore advances"

 Examiner Reader said:
Plastic bags do not pollute ! People do.Now we are going to see paper bags all over the place!

 3 agree | 4 disagree
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1:41 PM MST on Wed., May. 14, 2008 re: "Plastic bags on their way out of The City"

 Libidiot said:
They need to print "Recycle this Bag" in Chinese and Spanish on every plastic bag

 7 agree | 6 disagree
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5:54 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Plastic bags on their way out of The City"

 gerryx21dlr said:
I worked for Walgreens in Santa Rosa where the manager had to put a plastic bag recycle bin near the register. I found out that he told his staff just to throw out the accumulated bags alsong with the regular trash. OMG! I decided to take responsibilty and took the full bin of bags to Safeway's recycling area without telling my manager. If Walgreens could, they would lobby against using paper over plastic, citing extra costs and not really caring about the environment, wildlife, etc. Walgreens is not a good company.

 5 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
10:21 AM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Plastic bags on their way out of The City"

 Examiner Reader said:
I do not often agree with the Supervisors but this time i do. Next to fast food trash plastic bags are all over the place and I have to pick them up because the city does not. How about charging fast food vendors a clean up fee and use the fee to employ people (supervised of course) to pick up the trash.

 8 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
2:15 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 30, 2008 re: "Annapolis’ proposed plastic bag ban sparks controversy"

 Pizza said:
It is not that difficult to use a reuseable bag. Clearly plastic bags are not being recycled - look at the streets in the city. Maybe we should grow up and take some responsibility for ourselves and stop whining that we're inconvenienced by environmentalists.

 6 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
10:16 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 30, 2008 re: "Business owners blast plan for bottle deposit, plastic bag ban"

 Examiner Reader said:
Don't use paper bags because trees have to be killed to make them. Now don't use plastic. It's for the kids. It's for the kids. I'm so sick of hearing that. Let's stop living so we don't disrupt the environment.

 5 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
6:54 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 30, 2008 re: "Business owners blast plan for bottle deposit, plastic bag ban"

 Examiner Reader said:
Smiley face fascists like James Kraft continue to use “green” legislation to increase government’s power to regulate every human activity. The functionally illiterate voters in the City will welcome this fascist legislation and then whine for more government welfare when the Baltimore City economy takes another hit.

 9 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
2:39 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 9, 2008 re: "Lawmakers consider ban on plastic bags"

 Student said:
The next generation will not complain about purchase tax or plastic old bags! Sell the trees for furniture not bags. Recycle!

 6 agree | 5 disagree
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10:57 PM MST on Sat., Mar. 8, 2008 re: "Lawmakers consider ban on plastic bags"

 Examiner Reader said:
Look we can't even keep criminals off the streets what makes them think we can stop people from using plastic bags. Don't we have better stuff to worrie about than plastic bags? like the fall of Maryland due to O'ididnothingforthestatemalley.

 6 agree | 6 disagree
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9:08 AM MST on Sat., Mar. 8, 2008 re: "Alderman seeks to ban bags"

 Examiner Reader said:
Let's not forget that it's not just supermarket shoppers who rely upon plastic bags to get groceries home. Just last week, when I shopped at a gift shop, a toy store, a beer store, a couple restaurants, bought girl scout cookies and got my shirts from a dry cleaner, all delivered my goods in plastic. Will we also ban newspapers being wrapped in plastic, or make it a crime to send our kids' lunches in plastic bags? This bill is completely ridiculous. As another reader stated, let's enforce the laws we already have instead of wasting state time & resources enacting new ones. I happen to reuse the grocery bags in my home's trash cans around the house, so they serve a useful purpose. My teenager, who is into saving trees, will have a heart attack if suddenly I require 15 huge paper bags to get my groceries. (I guarantee nobody will ever have enough of the reusable ones.)

 8 agree | 6 disagree
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5:18 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment"

 Examiner Reader said:
When the handles fail in the supermarket paper bags or if the paper bags fail and you are carrying glass jars, bottles, and breakable items in them, send Ross Mikarimi the bill. His idea.

 79 agree | 75 disagree
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4:15 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "Recycling group: Oakland plastic bag ban hurts the environment"

 Seven said:
At the Safeway I shop in the Sunset (San Francisco), I haven't seen much of an increase in use of reuseable bags. The city ban on plastic bags has been pretty much just a swap of plastic bags for paper bags. However, the Sunset was the only district to vote against the plastic bag ban in the first place.

 84 agree | 79 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
4:40 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 re: "Environmentalists’ input sought tonight to change recycling bill"

 Bag Monster said:
I support politicians who resist pressure to set unreachable goals with unreasonable timetables on environmental issues. Additionally, I commend the mayor for encouraging people to use “recyclable materials” like plastic bags! Glad to know some people are being realistic about environmental issues even in the wake of uber-Liberal San Francisco’s bag ban. Plastic grocery bags are recyclable, so what’s with trying to ban plastic bags? It's hard being a Bag Monster!

 129 agree | 119 disagree
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6:29 AM MST on Tue., Nov. 20, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 Jeff, an Independent said:
First it was paper bags killing trees, now it is plastic bags killing the environment? Has anybody ever heard of the term "recycling"?

 138 agree | 102 disagree
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6:33 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 27, 2007 re: "Annapolis’ proposed plastic bag ban sparks controversy"

 Examiner Reader said:
Oh you've got to be kidding. Bery Scher of Giant likening banning plastic bags to banning cars. OK then, let's ban plastic bags and install speed limitation devices on cars (the way people drive in this state, it could only help). Even better is Safeway's Ten Eyk hiding behind the old "un-American" line...the ultimate in lame attempts to stop an argument! Look at the mounting litter and destruction humans' "freedom of choice" has brought to the environment! Quit being so ego-centric and grab a reuseable bag or two or three. Keep forgetting to bring them back to your car? Put them on the handle of your front door after you've unpacked them. This is something SO SIMPLE that will only have a positive impact for the environment and the animals that presently suffer because of human selfish laziness. I can't wait to see this ban enacted!

 215 agree | 238 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
8:47 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 4, 2007 re: "Alderman seeks to ban bags"

 Examiner Reader said:
Howzabout if you don't like plastic bags, don't take them. Don't force your bag preference on me. Improper disposal of bags is the problem, not the bags themselves. And littering is already a crime. Oh, that's right... we don't enforce laws in Maryland, only make new ones.

 209 agree | 202 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
3:40 AM MST on Mon., May. 28, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 starbrite said:
I think this is a fabulous idea, hooray for progress! However, opponents raise some very valid points. The primary problem is that, without plastic (or paper, either, I would suggest), just what ARE you going to bring your purchases home in? Some say use the reusable bags. Great idea, for those of us who have and use them. I keep some in my car for when I shop, as does my family, and I have a few friends who do as well. But there've been a number of times I left them at home or I was out with a friend and didn't have them, and the store didn't have any left. Many, many, many businesses don't carry reusable bags. On top of that, most people may just end up accumulating more and more of the reusables - and likely just throw them out. NOT a solution! Hopefully the ban will force people to change their habits - although if in 10 years only 1% of all plastic bags are recycled annually, my guess is that human nature - laziness - invariably will make or break the success of this effort.

 258 agree | 201 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
10:23 AM MST on Sat., May. 12, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 Mink said:
I think that we should ban plastic bags because they are not good for the enviroment. Also whenever you drive you see atleast one on the side of the road that one careless person through out their window. Animals could die from this and also it causes global warming.

 272 agree | 265 disagree
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9:15 AM MST on Thu., May. 10, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 Examiner Reader said:
I'd like to see the plastic bag ban extended to everyone, not just large chains. I see more bags that say "thank you" on them floating around or in the streets than ones that say "Riteaid", "Walgreens", "Safeway" or "Albertsons". Everyone needs to take responsibility including small businesses. It will not kill people to get in the habit of carrying a reusable bag when they go shopping, or to not use a bag for something that will fit in their purse.

 285 agree | 257 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
8:52 AM MST on Thu., May. 10, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 Examiner Reader said:
this is a great article. rigefield should conserve more too!!!

 278 agree | 281 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
6:03 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 11, 2007 re: "Plastic bag ban just part of S.F. green wave"

 Examiner Reader said:
Hey Keeks this is for you, this is a cool article and may be a good idea to have everywhere.

 274 agree | 274 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
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