This is education 101 for you!

The education and awareness campaign has started because  the city of San Jose has unanimously passed an ordinance banning the use of single-use plastic and paper bags by all retailers.

In a 9-1 vote with Council Member Pete Constant  voting no and Council Member Rose Herrera absent due to illness, using plastic bag by retailers is now illegal.

The ordinance, however, will take effect December 31, 2010, giving ample time for the completion of  an environmental Impact report, additional outreach to  business, consumer education, and "ramp-up" time.

After the environmental review  is completed, city staff  will  write a final ordinance that will go back to the council for final consideration. The ordinance was pursuant to the goal the council committed to do two years ago.

Statistics show that of the 3.8 billion plastic bags used by Bay area residents each year, an estimated 500 million comes from San Jose. And, only 1% of these are recycled.  The rest end up in landfills or  litter local streams, waterways, and freeways, posing a big concern for environmentalists.

San Jose's ordinance apply to all retailers excluding restaurant and non-profit and social service organizations.

The council thought that the campaign for banning plastic use should adopt a regional solution to be effective. A regional approach to the issue of banning single-use plastic and paper bags was discussed lately by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and San Jose Council Members Nora Campos, Judy Chirco, Kansen Chu and Sam Liccardo;  Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood; Palo Alto Mayor Peter Drekmeier; Morgan Hill Vice Mayor Greg Sellers; Campbell Vice Mayor Evan Low; and Santa Clara Vice Mayor Jamie Matthews.