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Republicans file bill to repeal plastic bag ban
(Voice photo illustration)
The Senate bill filed Thursday calls for repealing the ban initiated by the Dare County Democrat and relying on programs that encourage reusing and recycling plastic bags.
After specifying stores larger than 5,000 square feet, the ban was expanded last October to include all retailers on the barrier islands of Hyde, Dare and Currituck counties. It received mixed reactions on the Outer Banks.
None of the 10 sponsors are from the three counties, and all are Republicans from several regions of the state. The primary sponsors are Sen. Thom Goolsby of New Hanover, a coastal county that includes Wilmington, and E.S. “Buck” Newton of Nash and Wilson counties.
The ban requires stores to offer recyclable paper bags and to give a 5-cent rebate for each re-usable bag a customer provides.
Newton is not against programs that protect the environment, said his legislative director, Rachel Lee. “He’s for programs that work,” she said.
One of the arguments against the ban is that too many paper bags are being used, rather than re-useable cloth bags, and their production and delivery have their own environmental consequences.
Ivy Ingram of the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, which advocates maintaining the ban, said plastic bags have a more significant impact.
“While it is true paper bags have their own environmental impact, it is the plastic bag (low and/ or high density polyethylene aka petroleum) that never biodegrades and is the most dangerous to our coastlines, waterways and marine life,” she wrote in an e-mail.
“The fact remains that by eliminating the use of plastic bags in coastal communities we reduce plastic marine debris, saving some of the estimated 1.5 million marine animals who lose their life each year due to plastic.”
Filing of the bill Thursday coincided with North Carolina being added to a web-based campaign that promotes recycling and reusing plastic bags. The website abagslife.com includes among its sponsors the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association and the American Chemistry Council. Plastics is among the industries the council represents.
The bill says that Texas, Florida, and Virginia have launched successful education campaigns. They are the other states included on abagslife.com.
In January, Brownsville became the first city in Texas to ban single-use plastic bags, according to the Houston Chronicle. Shoppers must bring their own or pay $1 for a single-use bag, according to plasticbaglaws.org, and other Texas communities are considering bans.
Earlier this year, a state House committee tabled a bill to ban plastic bags in Virginia, the Virginia Gazette reported.
According to the North Carolina legislation, the ban is unproven and only 1 percent of transactions so far have involved a reusable bag. To comply, businesses have spent money that could have been used to expand or hire people, the bill says.
It adds that “state funds have been set aside for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department’s Divisions of Waste Management and Environmental Assistance and Outreach to monitor and study the success of the prohibition, but these funds could be better spent in light of the State facing a large budget deficit.”
Basnight championed the plastic bag ban, which first went into effect in 2009. The longtime Senate president pro-tem resigned earlier this year for health reasons. He was re-elected in November but lost his leadership position after the Republican takeover of both chambers.
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ekim says:
The bill was a JOKE in the first place. Know they have to wast time getting rid of it! When we have bigger problems!
1 I dont beleive the pic for this artical MR ROB?
2 I just finished a 3 week contract on the ocean, Not 1 plastic bag not 1 ( just an old balloon with a note in it that said ban plastic bags heheheheheh)
Rob Morris says:
Ekim: It’s an illustration. I added that so there won’t be any confusion. Thanks for pointing that out.
Bill says:
Ekim — The reason you didn’t see any plastic bags during your recent ocean trip is that the ban has been in effect for almost two years.
Before the ban on plastic bags, my backyard used to be filled with them after each storm. This past year, because of the ban, not one bag has washed up.
The ban on plastic works. It should be extended, not repealed.
john says:
The bag ban is/was ridiculous. Almost evey time I go to a store, someone’s complaining about it at checkout. The total costs, financial and natural resources, to produce and deliver paper bags exceeds that of plastic bags. Also, isn’t it strange that Basnight exempted his town of residence, Manteo, from the ban?
John says:
The fact that Roanoke island merchants are excluded from the plastic bag ban is part of what makes this bad legislation. Laws should be made to apply to all equally.
With the ban not applying to Roanoke Island, it sends the message that its ok to add additional cost to most business’s, just not my local freinds business in Mnateo.
It wouls seem that the ban would make more sense in Manteo, to protect the fragile marsh system around the island.
Colleen says:
Bill,
Thank you for pointing out the obvious to Ekim.
The ban has been quite effective, and I was disappointed that it didn’t include Manteo, where I live. We are not the first place in the country to tackle this issue but we were first in North Carolina and that is something to be proud of. I hope and have the feeling that the plastic bag will go the way of the incandescent light bulb, so why not just get used to the future?
Stephanie says:
I would like to keep the ban in place. I live in Salvo, NC and I have noticed a cleaner beach and a lot less plastic since it went into effect. People need a ban in place because history shows despite education, they will not conserve on their own. That is just the way it is. Good grief people. What is wrong with a paper bag? You can recycle that as well.
Ron says:
Ekim points out that the ban is working then says it was”a joke in the first place”. Ekim doesn’t live here as he stated he was here on a 3 week contract. Those of us who live here have noticed a big difference in flying plastic bag trash and our bushes and trees now are not “decorated” with those bags.
Are Republicans so intent on ruining our living areas that they will undo what is working just to please their American Plastic Industry sponsors???
john says:
Colleen, oh, yeah, I just can’t wait until all we have are fluorescent bulbs that pose an enviromental hazard if broken—-such “progress”.
Go Republicans—–best of luck on reversing the ban—–the coolest thing to do would be to impose it ONLY in Manteo!
chuck says:
you and I do not give money to the Republicans there fore we don’t count. each little step to improve our environment is a help overall. the republicans have stopped the using of recyclable goods in the senate and congress lunch room, if they are going to be pigs in their own trough what does it say for their plans for the nation?
Allan says:
Back in the stone age when I was a young adult, I saw plastic shopping bags introduced, first in Europe, then in the US. At the time, the public was almost unanimous in denouncing the flimsy plastic bags, preferring the old reliable paper sack. So now we have nostalgia for the plastic bag????? The Republicans are riding high for a few more months, and they are joyfully undoing as much sensible progressive legislation as they can, while ignoring the really big issues. Then we’ll get to go through the pain of realizing there were some good ideas that got dumped, and reinstitute the better ways. How in the world is eliminating the plastic shopping bag NOT a better way?
Susette says:
I was walking on the beach last fall, looking for a washed up plastic bag to put beach trash into. I didn’t find one, so it went right into my day pack. Now I carry a mesh bag for beach trash.
Thank you for banning the bags.
The beaches are a lot cleaner.
Tammie says:
I thought the ban was a good idea and wouldn’t care if they did it here in PA. The beaches were cleaner this year when we visited and I prefer the reusable bags that are available at most retailers to having piles of plastic bags at home or having to take them back to get recycled. They are cheap, easier to carry, hold more items and stay upright in the trunk rather than all your groceries rolling all over the car.
Charlene says:
“To comply, businesses have spent money that could have been used to expand or hire people, the bill says.”
Hmmm…so let’s see. Using plastic bags leads to more hiring. Great logic. So one could make the argument that when grocery stores started using plastic bags (remember, there was a time not that long ago that all grocery bags were paper) they did hire more workers. That should be a fact easy to check. Think the Republicans who sponsored this bill did some fact checking?
Colleen says:
And let’s not forget that plastic is a petroleum product. Judging from the price of gas these days, I would doubt those plastic bags will be getting cheaper anytime soon.
Jeremy D. Adams says:
I absolutely support the ban (minus the exceptions) and would hope that it would be not just continued but expanded to many more coastal communities.
The minimal cost savings for plastic (if it really does exist) is not worth having all the plastic in our oceans and waterways. The higher cost of paper is the cost of being a responsible business.
(Trees are our most renewable resource, how long does it take for oil to ‘grow’ back?)
Lisa says:
I support the ban and find that more items can be placed in a paper bag than a plastic one. If you can learn not to leave home without your cell phone you can learn the same with a cloth bag.
Tom says:
Mandating a private business to have to give a $.05 rebate for the use of a “recyclable” bag instead of a paper bag costs businesses money, even if only 1% of shoppers actually use them. Oh yeah, that’s right, those cause mold and in fact have made people sick. That’s ok, the business will just raise prices to their consumers. That is real easy to do when competing with Wal-Mart and Lowes. Give small business a break. Plastic bags are lighter weight and thus saves businesses shipping money, not to mention space they take up at the check out. Oh yeah, plastic is also water proof and can be used to pickup dog poo on the beach. Let’s see, can you do that with a paper bag? I use both and I think people are just getting too sensitive. You’re right, yes there are bigger issues government should deal with, like reducing taxes for example, so why did you pass this dumb law in the first place libs? All you did was cause more burden on local businesses, but you guys never shop the big box national retailers do you? That’s ok because it is all in the name of the environment.
fresh idea says:
Every year the number of paper bags being used should go down significantly, as everyone gets more accustomed to the change. A miniscule price to pay for cleaner beaches.
John T says:
I find it ironic that our towns provide plastic bags at beach accesses,for the purpose of disposing animal waste.I guess the ban don’t apply for those types huh?
charlie says:
One product degrades, the other does not.
Which do we think we should use?
100 years from now which would our great grandkids appreciate that we used?
This issue should have nothing to do with politics…..Seems like everything does nowadays.
Mico says:
I know this will probably elicit some communist/socialist/gov’t themed response but:
From ’09:
As U.S. Cities Waver on Plastic Bag Tax, China’s Bag Ban Saved 1.6 Million Tons of Oil
From:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/how-many-cities-have-a-ban-on-plastic-bags.html
Rwanda
The country, which has had a ban on plastic bags for years, has a reputation for being one of the cleanest nations not only on the continent, but in the world.
I too remember when they were introduced with what disfavor they were met. True of a lot of things before industry lobbyists were put in charge and we were convinced we couldn’t live without. High fructose corn syrup, bottled water and hormones in food animals etc.
Lisa says:
Nobody likes seeing plastic bags flying around. But banning them is not the answer. First of all, we have a problem with our trash collection schedule in the various towns. The number of containers per rental home is inadequate and pickup is not on a day that people are putting the trash out. That leads to trash flying around. Second, reusable bags are unhealthy. A 2010 study found unsafe levels of bacteria in used reusable bags. It is just a fact that most people do not wash their bags. The combination of a hot car, residual food material and people and pet detritus builds up in the bags and makes them unsanitary. Just ask any grocery clerk at HT or FL about how disgustingly dirty the bags are that they are forced to handle. Third, paper costs more to manufacture, transport, store and recycle. There is no net energy saving with plastic. Number four, people use plastic bag for many things, not just carrying groceries. They bring them in from other communities now or they buy them at Staples. We now have a black market for plastic bags. People have not stopped using them. Number five, paper bags tear easily and make it difficult for the elderly to carry their groceries.
The bags in and of themselves are not evil and there is no reason to ban them. Bags flying around the beach are the problem. So how do we combat the problem?
We could mount an education campaign at the supermarkets about the danger of plastic bags to wildlife and encourage tourists to purchase reusable bags during their stay at the beach. We could make it easy for tourists to dispose of their plastic bags in the rentals. We could encourage rental owners to supply reusable bags to their tenants. We could encourage municipalities to make changes relative to trash storage and pickup. There are alternatives. Encourage, educate but don’t force.
greeninkdh says:
John T. the bags found in the pet waste containers are biodegradable. They are made from bioplastic and do eventually break down by a company called BioBag.
Lisa- I find it hard to believe that an education campaign would make as big of a difference as banning them all together. Some people, clearly, just do not care. By the way the study on the cheap, poly bags the store sells was funded by- you guessed it- the plastics council. But, simply using a higher quality cloth or nylon WASHABLE bag is best.
I actually would prefer a plastic bag tax- across the world that seems to be what has made the biggest impact without causing financial burden to the retailer. Yes, jump all over that- more taxes, but hey- tax people who don’t make an effort or an informed decision.
The UN has proposed a global ban. They are banned in India, China, several countries in Europe. ALL reporting an immediate decrease in litter and waste.
ONLY in the US do we allow our industry to determine policy. In this particular repeal it is written IN THE BILL, that NC would sign on to an education campaign funded by WHO a website that is FUNDED by the industry. Seriously? The American Chemisty Council owns HUNDREDS of seemingly “green” websites that encourage recycling of plastic bags and “myths” of plastics bags all encouraging and making you feel good about getting your plastic bag because it can be recycled. HOWEVER, they are actually recycled in to plastic pellets which can be used for plastic products but NOT in to more bags. So, every time you use a bag it’s more plastic and more oil. The ACC spends MILLIONS of dollars on lawsuits suing municipalities all over the country who are trying to ban the bags.
And in case you didn’t know- the US sends the plastic bags you recycle to……CHINA to be recycled where low wage workers breath in toxic chemicals to sort through our “single use convenience”.
Read the bill here http://ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/Senate/PDF/S318v0.pdf
It’s almost as if the ACC wrote it themselves.
This should should NOT be a party issue- plastic bags use oil, kill marine life and likely people. PLEASE contact your Legislators & Governor, and ask them to keep the ban in place as those of us who actually LIVE here (reiterating that the supports of the bill DO NOT live here) have seen a difference.
ekim says:
YEA you people are banging the republicans, meanwhile our country is in great shape and WHO’S IN CHARGE, THE DEMOCRATS!!! nice try. I have 2 good freinds who have 2 years of plastic bags and thay intend on using them, what are you gona do?
'Ma' Marilyn Seal says:
We have set a standard of environmental excellence applauded by residents and visitors alike who have had the distasteful experience of cleaning up others discards . The key word here is “visitors”. Irrespective of political party, this translates to tourism folks, which, if I am not mistaken is called money.
Use of cloth bags eliminates negative bacteria issue. You can wash them! (Shirts for Sacks)
Mary says:
Sorry, education and “encouragement” do not work. I am convinced that only the ban has helped clean up our beaches. In other countries, no bag of any sort is provided to the shopper. Bring your own, or find another way to carry your purchases. Reusable bags are the way to go, and forward thinking business owners who purchase and provide reusable bags to their customers benefit from the advertising when those bags are used again and again.
Lisa says:
If the people of Dare County want a ban, it should be enacted at the local level, not the state level. Let the people decide. If they think that the tool of tyrants and bullies (force) is preferable to education, encouragement and free market principles, let them say so through their local representatives who can be held accountable for their vote.
john says:
Not to upset the environmental applecart, but, the dirty little secret is much of what is “recycled” in Dare ends up in LANDFILLS in VA. Don’t believe me??? Check it out.
Many “green” people are amusing and would probably like nothing better than to return to the horse and buggy days.
I live in Kitty Hawk—when friends from VA visit us, they bring hundreds of brand-spanking new plastic bags. Bless them!!!
I still wonder why the “enviromentally conscious” Basnight (he says with sarcasm.), exempted his dear little Manteo town of residence from his ban—–something smells.
Anyway, all of this Bush’s fault—-haha!
Bill says:
Can someone explain why plastic is preferred over paper? Is it because, but numeric count, it is cheaper for a retail business to inventory the plastic bags as compared to paper?
If the cost is cheaper per bag, what is the amount?
Overall, I find it interesting, of course not surprising though, that “Republicans” are the ones calling for a lift on the ban. Seems like simply another nail in the party/affiliation coffin. Today’s Republican politicians (at all levels) have simply become a nonsense laughing stock.
There are many more consumers than business owners in the voting electorate and the plastic bag ban seems like something that simply makes common sense. Lifting the ban is a bad political move, though as expected, Repubs are really keen these days on making bad political moves.
Meaghan says:
I work in a retail business here. Due to the cost of plastic bags, we started asking customers if they needed a bag with their purchase. Amazingly, 75% of people don’t. Why? Because the plastic bag ban has made locals rethink their usage of bags. If they don’t take a bag, most have a reusable bag in their purse/car that they use instead.
Do you know who does ask for a bag? Tourists, because they don’t have a bag ban at home. And since they are egregiously inconvenienced by having to use paper bags at Food Lion, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Republicans are proposing this reversal to please all those out of town tax dollars.
Lynne says:
At first, I was frustrated by the lack of plastic bags around the house, but now I really do appreciate the ban. I would like to see it stay in place. The repeal sounds like political statement to me.
charles oppage says:
It was a pain getting used to having to carry reusable bags in the car(I still forget sometimes)but I have gotten used to it and use those bags when I shop out of the area. The teabaggers who are now running Raleigh “preached” less government, but that only applied to Washington. They still want to run things in NCfrom Raleigh,even if the locals don’t favor it. Based on who sponcers are,seems that it is a legislator from the southern coast who doesn’t want it “spreading” to his area and a tourist who got po’ed at having to carry paper bags.
Besides,if they are so concerned with creating and saving jobs, I would remind them that there are a lot of paper-mill jobs in Eastern NC.
KHer says:
I think the legislature has more pressing matters to tend to.
I also found it “peculiar” that Manteo was exempted from the ban. Their favorite son was looking out for his homies.
Colleen S says:
I live and shop in Manteo and I use my cloth bags. Food A Rama purchased cloth bags and sold them for 99 cents; CVS in Manteo gives you a discount if you have cloth bags. I do believe it is what you practice that matters and I think the ban should stay in place. Just my opinion.
Frank Moore says:
KEEP THE BAN – THE WILDLIFE IS NOT BEING KILLED BY THEM AND THE BEACHES AND EVERYONE’S YARD ARE CLEANER AND TREES ARE NOT DECORATED WITH THEM. THE BAN WORKS BUT I DO BELEIVE MANTEO SHOULD BE INCLUDED, THIS MAKES A GOOD BILL LOOK BAD, SHAME ON MARC =-(
jeff says:
Not that mr basnight would go shoping I would like to hear his reaction when these lousy paper bage fall apart and the contance falls to ground. I am sure the small amount of volume 10 plastic as compaired to 10 paper is very small. Most if not all paper bags goes to the dump because they tear and are useless,yes they recycle but how many do, at least the plastic bags are used for trash, and are reused by most people for cary alls. People are now forced to purchase trash bags which are much larger and thicker taking up larger space in the dump.
ekim says:
I wonder what the DEMS will ban next?
April says:
I live in Salvo and participate each spring and fall in the Adopt a Highway clean up. The difference was noticeable to me in the last pickup! I would like to see the ban stay in force.
Beachornot says:
Avon beaches are much cleaner since the plastic ban. I use my own net bag for picking up beach debris and it doesn’t hurt one bit to carry it with me. I believe there are two issues here.
First, come on folks, there is little doubt we are ruining the planet for our children. If you don’t recognize that, then you chose to be blind. We should all do whatever is within our power to control pollution of all kinds. These beloved plastic bags will be around forever in our landfills.
Secondly, the Republicans are simply trying to get votes by showing they support business. The difference between Republicans and Democrats is only in the spelling. If you believe that Republicans better represent the business community, again you chose to be blind. Republicans and Democrats best represent themselves and their job security.
One man’s opinion.
ekim says:
The ban has only been a few weeks April, really? nice try
John VanderMyde says:
It’s so nice to no longer see the plastic bags stuck in trees and bushes all over the Outer Banks – I appreciate everyone who has worked to improve our environment. Seems like if Republicans get their way, we’d pollute every stream, pond, river, lake, and ocean for the sake of convenience.
As for those who are worried about “bacteria”… we have two pounds of “bacteria” living inside us, and you’ll find it everywhere… there’s no reason to think the bacteria in reusable bags is more harmful than the bugs in your sponge, refrigerator, sink, counters… just don’t lick the inside of the bags ok?
Lisa says:
Don’t be ridiculous, John. Republicans are not for polluting every stream, pond, river, lake and ocean. Let’s not make this a Republican/Democrat issue. It isn’t.
This ban was put in place at the state level as a pilot program. It cannot go on forever as a pilot program. It would have to either end or be rolled out to the entire state or ended. One part of the state cannot be subject to a state law that other parts of the state are not subject to. And not every community in North Carolina wants a ban. So at this point, the Senators in the GA are saying that the pilot program should end. If Dare County wants to ban plastic bags, let them vote for it at the County level.
Selena K says:
Yeah, get over it, Repub party. Why don’t you go fight more important battles? (And before you flame me for being a “liberal” or “pro-Basnight” know that I’m an independent who votes both ways…and I think BOTH parties are acting like idiot crybabies these days).
Can we PLEASE just focus on making life right and good for ALL citizens without so much damn partisanship?
I vote that the ban STAYS.
marcie austin says:
Rob. could you post a petition to congress expressing the adverse feeling VOTERS have re: a ban of this bill to try to protect our environment. If Republicans have their way we will do nothing to protect our fragile ecosystem but they and those who care only about money will wreck our world for their personal gain with no consideration for the generations to come. I don”t like the paper bags either but I am capable of using the reusable bags I bought 2 years ago which are still working just great.
Lee says:
Jeff said: “Not that mr basnight would go shoping”(sic)
Jeff, I don’t even live on the Outer Banks, and I have seen Sen. Basnight shopping locally. And I didn’t see him in Manteo so, yes, he was either using a reusable bag, a paper bag, or no bag at all.
Count me as one tourist who uses reusable bags at home and on vacation (and, in fact, used reusable bags *before* the local ban) and would like to see the ban extended county, state, and country-wide.
ekim says:
Hey guys I was behind one of the garbage trucks this morning every time the wind hit it just right,crap went all over the place, Its not the bags its the baggers,so lets quit whining, Let’s worry about more important stuff.Like getting our kids out of the MID EAST.(What a joke so many things are wrapped in plastic lets get real!)
Bev says:
Everyone needs to contact Thom Goolsby from New Hanover County and tell him to take back his repeal! I’ve not seen Thom Goolsby at ANY of the trash pickups in Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure or Bald’s Head. I’m sure the guys from Wilson county have no clue either. Do they think there is no issue in the waterways? Maybe we should bill the state for cleaning up this mess and then they might understand the real financial impact of plastic bags.
bob knows says:
Really… Maybe if we cut dependence on plastic in forms of bags, bottles, and packaging we would not need to be in the Middle East fighting for oil! Remember what plastic is made out of? We(the United States) consume millions and millions of barrels of oil in form of plastic each year.
KDH Resident says:
I am thoroughly delighted that Marc Basnight is GONE. He cheated the voters out of a position in Raleigh and now we have Stan White pushed down our throat.
He was in office too long and sadly enough, his legacy for which he will be remembered is going to be introducing a ban that did not have any effect of him.
E Porter says:
1. They need to worry about their own counties not ours.
2. I live on Hatteras Island and my 1st floor is 14ft up and then the kitchen is on the 2nd floor, The convince of carrying the reusable bags is 10x better, you can carry them on your shoulders rather than cut your fingers trying to carry the plastic bags up and it also cuts the # trips up and down to the car when you only use 1/2 as many bags. If you noticed most things are packaged square and fit much better in the reusable bags as well as paper.
3. Not everything new is always a good idea, I was very pleased when we went back to the old paper bags, and I’m only 32. I choose to use reusable bags mostly but if I had to choose a paper or plastic it would be paper every time.
4. It is extremely sad to hear how many people could care less about what their actions do to our planet. Let alone this beautiful beach that you are blessed and lucky to live on.
Patrick Caton says:
I think that the ban was a good thing, remenber all of the plastic bags up and down the highway, hanging in trees, blowing into the ocean, in the ditches, in the parking lots, and everywhere. I used to net fish with my dad in the ocean and it was amazing how many plastic bags we caught in the nets, they where like tumble weeds on the bottom of the ocean. Plus why are they fightng to repeal it, don’t they have bigger fish to fry. I mean really, there are kids that are starving and people that are homeless, and banks taking away peoples homes and people with no jobs, buisnesses going bankrupt right here in eastern NC. So to those politicians, I say grow up and do somthing that will really make a difference in peoples lives.
New Dealer says:
So let’s see if I have this right. I can buy a canvas tote bag for $5.00 and be rewarded 5 cents each time I use it, so that over the course of about a year I will pay for the bag and then it becomes free to me forever. Or I can use single-use plastic bags which will always translate into “proportionately higher” food prices to me as the store must pay for the bags and pass that cost back on to me. So “individual liberty” means the liberty for someone to make a profit off of me, but if I can make myself more self-sufficient by using my own bags then that becomes an assault on “individual liberty”. Don’t tread on me! (but it’s okay if I tread on you). Gimme a break. Keep the ban.
ekim says:
WE need to start DRILLIN BOB! or you can start to walk every place! doubt it!
bob knows says:
Yea. I doubt it. I will be paying $8 a gallon like everywhere else in the world.
Maybe then it will dawn on us that we do not need to be as dependent on oil in any form. The good news about high gas prices is it will drive us to do things that make our lives and the environment much better.
ekim says:
NO BOB $8 gln will make everything we buy wrapped in RECYCLED PLASTIC! cost a fortune! Oil is what makes this great country roll BABY! so get over it.THE war was over oil wasnt it.Whats the war about now BOB? WHY hasnt this president lifted drilling bans?
bob knows says:
Our dependence on OIL is a leading contributor of what has gotten this great country in TROUBLE. When gas prices rose DRAMATICALLY in 2008; you, me and the rest of america bought FEWER gallons of gasoline. Gas prices dropped and………….here we are a few years later. This will never go away. We do this to ourselves. Cut oil consumption in all forms: at the pump, in packaging and at walmart.
This President hasn’t lifted a drilling BAN because of the bp oil SPILL in the Gulf. Where have you been?
ekim says:
BOB whare is all the oil that spilled in the gulf BoB thay cant find any? Why did the pres take so long to act on the spill BOB,WHATS the your problem with Wallmart BOBBy baby? (showing your true colors now BOBBY)
bob knows says:
Walmart has you and me addicted to cheaply made products(lots of them are plastic) from CHINA. WE do not PRODUCE any of our goods anymore. That has gotten us into a lot of TROUBLE. Now we are DEPENDENT on CHEAP labor, EXPENSIVE oil and products that do not last and that are OVER-PACKAGED. Walmart is not the only one but one of the FIRST.
ShhKim- I don’t know where the OIL went. Probably in the MARSH. Why can’t you get any OYSTERS and fish from around THERE?
What’s your PROBLEM with a CLEANER, HEALTHIER place to LIVE?
Nature Girl says:
Plastic bags kill marine life and are manufactured using oil as their main component. Half a bottle of oil is used to produce the plastic bottle. Acidic vinegar is now bottled in plastic. Plastic chemicals leach into the food that is microwaved in plastic containers. Water bottles warmed in your closed up car can leach chemicals used to make the bottle into the water you drink. Baby bottles are mostly made of plastic now. I grew up before plastic and thought it marvelously convenient when it was introduced, but have come to avoid it whenever possible.
Rob Alderman says:
The biggest joke about Basnight’s bill was that it only affected certain bizs, in certain areas.
If he had had a real set of b—- he would have pushed state wide, but he would’ve never gotten that through.
I don’t think they should repeal and I don’t think the stores should pay the customer .05
They should make it state wide and be done with it.
Nature Girl says:
Naomi Klein: Why Climate Change Is So Threatening to Right-Wing Ideologues
“Climate change challenges everything conservatives believe in. So they’re choosing to disbelieve it, at our peril.” The article gives logical arguments why many refuse to believe in climate change and continue to argue for fossil fuels as a source of energy.
Naomi Klein is the author of The Shock Doctrine: Disaster Capitalism. You can access the full article at alternet.org
john says:
So did they drop the bag ban?
john says:
Some of you people are absolutely hilarious—-e.g., Bob Knows and Nature Girl—–very entertaining!! Thanks!
Ron says:
For people like Ekim and tourists who just NEED that plastic bag, and to satisfy the people who hate bans………Perhaps we should do what they do in Canada, the UK and France….countries that I specifically have shopped in. You must either bring in your own bag or pay 10 cents, pence or fraction of a Euro to buy each bag you want.
Believe it that this works just as well or better than a ban and people in those stores come equipped to save money by bringing in their own bags, usually fabric or mesh as I noticed………..while paying for my plastic ones (tourist that I was!!).
Linda Courson says:
I like what Ron says. Bring your own bag or pay 10 cent for each bag you use. Why not?
While Plastics prove beneficial in many regards, they also pose a significant threat to our marine environments. PLASTICS do NOT biodegrade, but rather photodegrade with exposure to the Sun’s UV light, into smaller and smaller pieces. As a result,virtually every piece of plastic that has ever been produced still exits in SOME shape or form.
What will be our legacy for our children and grandchildren?
Let’s all protect our Earth the best we can!
Taylor says:
I have to laugh at all of the misinformation posted here.
ekim says:
Ron why dont you move to europe nature girl get rid of all your luxeries and live in the woods off the land, OOOOORRRRRR find real jobs and one for Bobby baby!
bob knows says:
ekimie– maybe you should move to Iraq. You and john can drill baby drill, all you want!
Chezrobin says:
I am from the Outer Banks, and reside in Florida now with a plan to go back to OBX. We visited in December, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ban on plastic bags. I am so proud that my hometown took the initiative to ban them. Yes, it is inconvenient to figure out another way, but taking away the plastic forces you to look for other answers. Spend the buck to buy a reusable bag. You can find bulk deals on the internet and save environment. I sincerely hope the law is not rescinded. BTW – Florida is a mess from the plastic bags, they should follow YOUR LEAD!
Chezrobin says:
Here is a nice site for biodegradable bags as an alternative to the reusable tote. http://www.biobagusa.com/plastic-shopping-bag.html
I buy the ones for picking up after my dog and I love them!
bob knows says:
ekimie– you were referring to the gulf and lack if oil from the spill. Here you go. More bad news for an area that is already in trouble. Check it out here: http://m.examiner.com/exBatonRouge/pm_77970/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=XzKTpc7e
Lorelei says:
The ban is a godsend. As a resident of these beautiful barrier islands, I have seen a remarkable difference in the cleanliness of our beaches as well as along the roads. The plastic bags are a PETROLEUM PRODUCT people! We have to use less petroleum products! The purpose of the ban was to encourage greater use of REUSEABLE bags, not paper. Many of you are truly missing the point on this. My experience is that many folks are coming to the markets with reuseable bags, I do not see any disgruntled customers, and most visitors are impressed with our law!!!
I say expand the law along the entire NC coast! To the legislators I say: There is plenty to do in NC (budget, infrastructure, jobs) … LEAVE THIS LAW ALONE!!!
ceebee says:
i’ve been a business owner for the last 35 years on hatteras island. almost everything shipped to our store comes in a plastic bag, a lot of this stuff from companies that advertise how ‘eco-minded’ they are. we have always used these bags for our customers and have always asked if they need a bag. at least 50% don’t want one. i will continue to recycle these bags as i don’t want to just throw them away.
at home,i’ve always used plastic bags for my trash as i refuse to buy the big heavy ones. now i’m down to using the bags my paper is delivered in. when i travel and get plastic bags i actually bring them home to use again here.
repeal the ban? no. include manteo? yes.
do our elected officials have more pressing business? yes.
amelia checks says:
The only place I have gotten any sort of rebate is at Food Lion, nowhere else. Also, if there is a ban on RI, then why does CVS use paper bags?
jeff says:
Well Lee I sure would have liked to see a vido of that!
On the other side if they can make a bag that bioderades for dog poo then why canot they make them for shopping, does it all boil down to the $. I would sure like to see a good strong plastic bag than these misserible paper bags. Now you need a trash bag to put your trash in that are thicker and do not allow the trash to degrade that is inside Go to F.L. parking lot and count the # of “paper handles laying in the lot, and the spots of spilled product on the grond. I have used the plastic for years and never had so much as a small rub from the plastic let alown a cut. Yes the paper degrades in the landfill but if it degrades over a time the landfill is allready 2 stories above and it just creates a void that will never be filled. Yes the empty plastic bags fly outa the trash trucks and become caught in trees but if you pass the same tree awile later there are such small pieces that would hard prssed being sorted from the sand. Lets go back to the ” Plastic or Paper” the clerk usta say and let the coustomer decide
jeff says:
With all this wineing about useing plastic to transport things I am sure most of the winers have never looked under their their van or high priced car and noticed that that the fuel tank is plastic but I guess that’s O.K. It does not rust it is a lot lighter but try to recyle one they will send you packing even though it has the O fichil stamp that says so. I guess thats O.K. so long as its outa mind even thogh it used enough oil to make to make a bunch of plastic bags and contained enough oil to make and enough oil to make all the bags for the next 300 yrs
bob knows says:
Plastic use by American consumers needs to be limited. Is there anyway to cut all plastics out of our life? No. We must be realistic. The first and easiest thing to cut out is the single-use plastic bag. Here is a perfect example above provided by Jeff.
The environment would much rather have a plastic gas tank in a car than have single use plastic bags blowing down the street or floating in the ocean. That car will not be tossed in the ground or in the air 2 minutes after it is purchased. Maybe that plastic gas tank will be filled with diesel, or fry shortening or rarely used at all if in a battery powered car. Here are some figures: There are over a billion bags handed out worldwide everyday. There are only 2 billion autos worldwide. At the end of the week, there are 7 billion bags out there and still only 2 billion autos. You can make a choice and limit your plastic consumption. Stop using the single-use bag this year, start biking where you can next year. By a battery powered car the year after. Its up to you! Just do something rather than complain that my rights have been violated. Get off your freedom high-horse. When individual liberties affect the liberties of others they must be limited. Its been that way since our great nation was founded. Maybe you should be part of the solution and stop complaining.
Carolyn says:
I’m quite used to taking my own bags with me when I go shopping. I’ve purchased several–enough to do a weeks worth of grocery shopping. I take some with me any time I’ll be in a store. I even use them when I’m visiting my daughter in Fredericksburg, VA or my sons in Lynchburg, VA. It’s an easy habit to get in to. This is one of the more recent controlling laws with which I don’t disagree.
Greg Hamby says:
Keep the ban. Go to Norfolk,Cheasapeake ,Suffolk etc , those bags are everywhere.. In the trees, hung up in field stubble and in the waterways.
The bags fly out of the garbage trucks when they dump the cans.
Inland legislators should mind their own business. The ban is a move in the right direction environmentally.
Manteo should ban them as well
Nags Header says:
Two very ignorant statements that I keep hearing spouted.
The 1st is about the more petroleum being used for plastic bags. Do some research as to how much is used to manufacture & transport the heavier paper.
Secondly, the guy that nets.lol Basnight stated the same “facts” about the bags killing sea turtles/life. While the real facts reveal that old, torn, discarded fishing nets do more harm. DOH! Time to ban net fishing… oh wait!:O
People, as good as some of their intentions are, are ate the fck up. Not only that, this “picking & choosing” who gets to do what is well?… unAmerican.
jeff says:
I find it instering that more and more of the check’s are wearing plastic gloves to handle these nasty cloth bags, not only protecting them selves but now spreding the nasty to other people. Later when they are done work the PLASTIC glove comes off and goes in the trash.
To BOB if a person can have an electric car this is nice but the cases for the batteries are plastic and when they are recyled the plastic goes to the landfill. count the other items on this car that are plastic that will never be recyled.
bob knows says:
Still not as bad as the single-use bag. 2 billion bags handed out worldwide daily. We gotta start somewhere. Keep the bag ban!
jeff says:
Bob how many thousand +++ plastic bags would it take to make all the plastic on and in your wheels?
bob knows says:
A billion bags handed out everyday world wide. Only make around 2 billion cars per year wordwide. Pretty sure no one is passing out a billion tires per day. So……. The single use bag is the first place to start cutting our plastic dependency.
jeff says:
Bob knows; Well this may be a start but what would you rather have a car that gets 40 + mpg or and old clunker that gets 10 mpg. Back then they made everything outa iron and steel and the tanks weighed 2 tons. Now the have made a lot of the car from plastic reduicing the weight probly about half if not more,where do you draw the line. do you want a tank or a car that saves oil. These plastic bags save oil and and coustomer greef over the horid paper sacks SAVE A TREE USES PLASTIC!!!! I CANNOT BELEAVE THE TREE HUGGERS HAVE NOT JUMPED ON THIS WITH HOB NAIL BOOTS
jeff says:
BOB although the tires have only have a small % of the plastic ? on your high price car the plastic contant of the tires is not that much. After the car is retired and goes to the recyle yard, it can no longer be crushed as the iron clunkers from the past were, now they are ground in a machine that renoves the metals and the plastic is removed and goes to the landfill. How much of your electric car is plastic? most of that plastic could have been used for enough plastic bags to last the OB for many years and the plastic in your electric car is allready filling the landfill. Again the problem comes back to the slobs that cannot despose of the bags and let them fly out of the trash.
Jenn says:
I am a tourist from a New England beach community. I have to applaud the fact there is a ban and hope that it does NOT get repealled. We, the American consumer has become lazy. How hard is it to carry a cloth bag around in your car?? Really…
jeff says:
to Jenn is not to much to cary a cloth bag it’s the problem that you have no choice in the matter you either use a nasty bag or or a useless paper bag that falls apart if you try to get it to your car. these paper bags are useless and take more space to recyle than plastic. If you are here for a while and you get one of these worthless paper bags and it falls apart before you get home then you will see what is happing if a paper bag was a good replacement for the dreaded plastic bag then it would be O.K. but these paper bags are useless. The paper bags are made from everything that is left over after the recyling is done and if they can suport their own weighe that a lot, the handles rip off, the bottom fals out the bag is just a piece of SH$T. At least the dreaded plastic bag you could make it home and still have you purchase and reuse it to place trash or a cary all.. The messes in the lot at FL are a reminder that the paper bage are useless
bob knows says:
Maybe we should remember what Dwight Eisenhower said many years ago: “A people that value its privileges above its principles soon lose both”
Jeff–If you want, I will get you some reusable bags. That may help your stress level when attempting to purchase groceries. I am sorry you cannot operate a paper bag.
jeff says:
Well Bob I can operate a paper bag as well as you but when the bottom falls out or the lously handles rip off when you cary the bag as instruced by holding both handles there is a problem with the CRAP bags that we have bin forced to use. If you put two boxes of cerial and a couple packs of lifesavers in one and the bag rips or the handles fall off what good is the bag? I would use the paper bag if it would work as well as a plastic bag but paper bags are useless pieces of s$$t. I would not use the Nsaty reusable bag if you sent them prioity mail.99.9 % 0f those nasty bags if you even get them damp will fall apart as far as washing them good luck
bob knows says:
I can only imagine how difficult the rest if your life is if you have those issues every time you shop for groceries. Buy a reusable bag that costs more than a dollar, wash it in hot water and detergent and your good. To those you think that a plastic bag is any cleaner: When you take a damp plastic bag with sweat from the milk or ice cream or whatever and ball it up, throw it in a dark cabinet so it can fester, fetch it months later when you blindly grab from the pile of 693 bags that you have and stuff whatever you haul around in said bag. You can’t tell me that’s any cleaner!
Bag Lady says:
Paper Bags????? What about the precious trees? Wouldn’t you greenies prefer to pick up a few wind blown bags and save a tree????
jeff says:
Well Bob if the bag was nasty after it came home it would be used for that nites trash if it was not reused then it would be recyled or desposed of in the proper way You want to put your stuf in a nasty reusable bag thats fine I will continual to use my stock of the deeaded PLASTIC BAG. Buy the way my stock is now over a thousand enough to out last your rotten paper sacks. I would like to see the results if you had a oily piece of equipment and tried to use a paper bag to transport it in your high priced car and it leaked oil on your mats. O I forget that the fancy car does not cary nasty stuf.
bob knows says:
Lets see; a thousand chances you will encounter some gross milk sweat from 2006. Thats awesome! Since you are so EXTREME, I got one for you. I don’t transport oily parts as I walk everywhere. These plastics bags seem to be the answer for all aspects of your life, maybe we really do need them, just for you Jeff.
jeff says:
Well Bob As I stated eariler that if a bag is nasty that it is used that nite’s trash. I guess if you have the life to be able walk everywhere then this is nice some of us rely on other form of transportaion and rely on fixing what we have. sometimes we must make do with what we can salvage and some times we must transport an item that you would not even carry I guess that you must be close to food stors shoping centers and all other stores that have all your needs. hopefuly they all use paper bags. Heven foribd that anyone of them were to use the dreaded plastic bag.I am glad to see that you did say that “MAYBE WE DO NEED THEM” even though it was said in a way that was pointed.
Betty says:
When something like this has been accepted by so many communities – why take it away. This is a ban that should be in place all over the USA. It keeps the environment clean and keeps plastic bags away from the wildlife. I have not heard one person complain about the use of cloth bags or paper bags. I can’t believe that the state of NC would take something so good to the environment away – especially when everyone is already use to the change. BAD DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sybil says:
Some of the comments above disregard the reason for the ban. Everyone, think! The ban was to save animal life on the coastal areas. Manteo and Wanchese are not on the coast. But, petroleum use to make those bags affects the price of gas – supply and demand.
A little inconvenience, if you prefer plastic and I do for its strength with heavy stuff to carry, will not hurt any of us. We can feel noble about the inconvenience. We are helping preserve a clean, safe environment for the creatures that inhabit the earth too.
jeff says:
Sybil if people would use the plastic bag and dispose of it proper then a lot of the problem would be solved. When the lously paper bag falls apart as we are forced to use them I do not think this is the answer. it would be a good thing if they the (stores) were allowed to go back to the clerk asking “PLASTIC or PAPER” then the coustomer would have the choice. My answer will allways be PLASTIC instead of this useless PAPER BAG. The plastic bag will be reused for trash or a cary all and then disposed of properly.
ponybird says:
Unbelievable. There is always somebody who complains about something good. Face it people plastic is killing us. Microwave your food in plastic , drink out plastic water bottles , baby bottles , etc.. All the toxins in the plastic is giving us cancer! I appreciate less plastic any way we can get it!
bob knows says:
Jeff–Those PAPER bags are still causing you trouble? I will still send you some REUSABLE bags with anti-bacteria protection weaved into it for your safety. Sounds like all the PLASTIC bags you have surrounded yourself in is getting to your brain. PLASTIC really is worse than you think. Like ponybird says: toxins. I bet you still microwave in plastic.
jeff says:
bob; As I said before I would not use the reausable bag if you sent it PRIORITY MAIL even if it had Mr clean in it forever they are still NASTY. You can bet that I still microwave in plastic. I think this plastic hype is a bunch of BULL. F.L. is susposed to go back to plastic but take heart they are still shoving those lously paper bags where the sun don’t shine. I will still taks a couple PLASTIC BAGS in my pocket if I have several items to get, like to see you do that with the reausable bag or the lousey paper bag just do not forget and leave them at home or your purchase may become another spot on F.L. lot
Bob Samuels says:
Jeff & Ekim
Talk about whining liberals/democrats – you guys take the cake. Shameful. It’s obvious you don’t have children, or if you do, they work in the chemical/plastics industry.
bob knows says:
It is a SHAME that no one cares about their surroundings anymore. No one cares what happens when they are gone. No one cares about the children and what we leave them. No one cares about the natural wildlife. Its a SHAME that all anyone is worried about is what an inconvenience it is to get your groceries to the car and then to the house. It is a SHAME that you people cannot operate a bag.
jeff says:
Bob S No I did not have the pleasure of children. but I have seen many people that do and they cary a “PLASTIC BAG” to throw the diper in and dispose of it in the trash, not like some of the tourist that stop on the side of the road open the door and toss, I would like to see the person that would put that mess in a paper sak and have it in the high price car the rest of the trip till they find a S CAN
To bob with the price of food I would to get it home and be able to use it not scrape it off FL lot and throw it in the trash. as I said before if the lousley bag would work as well as plastic that would be great. as far as oaperation of a bag I stated before that I can oaperate a bag as well as you. If the paper bag was as dependile as the plastic then that would be my choice but these paper bags are cr$p
bob knows says:
Apprently you can’t operate a bag that well. You are the only one still wining about how difficult it is. Everyone has it down. Maybe you have not figured it out. Like you said, with money being tight and all, maybe you should carry your groceries in two hands or better yet, use the cart. You don’t want to take any chances, cause those plastic bags have never ripped, right?
jeff says:
Bob As I said I cary a couple PLASTIC bags in my pocket if I have several items to get.I do use a cart and do not need 2 hands to carry a plastic bag and never had a PLASTIC bag RIPPPED. I can use a bag as well as you, and maby everyone does not have it down pat as you. as there has been many coments made when the lousley paper sack falls apat.Take heart FL has not gone back the DREADED plastic so yoy can shop there again. As you are so set in the rotting cary all I will leave this B.S. that you are saying and make due with with my stock of plastis bags. FYI I just received another shipment of the dreaded PLASTIC bag
greeninkdh says:
Are we seriously in the year 2011 and discussing plastic VS paper. NEITHER people, NEITHER. REDUCE your waste and that starts with bringing your own bag. Not the cheap ones that can’t be washed. The bill should be changed to CHARGE you for anytime you take one of their bags. That’s how it works best in other areas of the world, time to get on board people.
jeff says:
greeninkdh; I do bring my own bag PLASTIC. We have reducued our waste as who can afford to throw anything out that can be used. If there was a charge of a few cents that would not be a problem so long as I could get plastic cause I am sure the stores get them a lot cheper than that. The idea of any store supplied sack is to help you get your purches home now thanks to mr b we are stuck with a CR$P paper bag that falls apart before you get home.You use a paper sack the way instruced and the bottom falls out there is a problem the lousley bag.Let the stores go back the clerk asking plastic or paper if you wish to use your nasty cary then thats your choice just let me make my own choice.
bob knows says:
Jeff–
What did you do back when a paper bag was your only option? Were you able to operate those paper bags? I find it hard to believe that an adult cannot carry groceries in a bag.
jeff says:
bob knows; Well bob as I stated I can cary a bag as well if not better than you the bags then did not fall apart as these pieces of CR$P. A plastic bag does not tear and fall apart as this lousey bag. F.L has a new stock of PAPER bags that do not have handles now making it harder to use. so mutch for the plastic bag. I guess that you can go to FL again but synce they do not meet your standars I guess you can walk to where ever you walk.
bob knows says:
Jeff–
Paper bags did not have handles before. How did you carry them 30 years ago? I am so sorry that these paper bags have caused you so much pain. I can only imagine how hard the rest of your life is!
Starfish says:
More should support the ban (minus the exceptions) and expanded to many more coastal communities.If your not happy about 1 thing its another.I love not seeing the bags flying through the air!
The incandescent light bulb being REPLACED with lightbulbs ONLY made in China and they are filled with Mercury .Did you know if the new bulbs break in your home you are to evacuate your home and call a hazmat team!
Starfish says:
OOOOOOOOOOOO wo is me I have to carry a bag! how old are you!? & by the way the plastic bags ripped all the time and had to be double bagged to carry,so ha!
jeff says:
starfish; As this is off the dreaded plastic bag subject, you brought up to floresent lamp. This type lamp has been around for years. check under your cabnets over your sink and a lot of comerical use. these lamps use about 1/4 the energy of the incandescent lamp thus saving energy The lifespan is X 10 Yes there is a minuite amont of mecury in all of them (a lot less the than the older ones) and their are recyling for the dead bulbs. The only way that they would pose a hazard is if a kid were to lick the remains after the bulb was broken. Yes they are made in CHINA but so is jest about everything else we buy,even your incandesaent lamp is made in CHINA If you caled a hasmat team every time a floresant lamp broke they would laugh you out of the state.I do not know how you could break enough flor. lamps to cause a problem., one lamp would not cause a problem nor would 10. I have replaced every light with CF lamps have noticed a large savings of ENERGY
I do not have a problem with haveing to double bag a PLASTIC bag unless I want cary something that the bag was not meant to cary I am sory you have had problems with plastic bags but they are still better than the worthless paper that if you get it to your car you are lucky
Bob if they made a paper bag that would work as well as the plastic bag then that would be great this cr$p paper bags are useless.30 yr ago the bags were useful now thev are CR$P
jeff says:
starfish the dreaded cfc is being replaced with LED lamps there is no mecury in them and a kid can chew on it and have no side affects, unless they hit the power. ZZZAPP.
bob knows says:
Jeff– do you take a breath while typing or just type as much as you can in one breath?
jeff says:
Bob knows;I guess you want turn this into a personal thing but I will not go any further I guess you know it all so goodby
OBX Blogging says:
Just curious… Does anyone here shop at Harris Teeter? Did they pull out the plastic bags or stick with paper?
Sarah Jane says:
When I go to big box stores (e.g., Costco), I must either bring my own bag or use a box that Costco has put aside from stocking shelves.
When I go to IKEA (= not often!), I find that it is less expensive to buy their reusable PLASTIC (but heavy plastic) bags with nylon straps, huge capacity, and multiple re-uses. It is possible to acquire a PLASTIC bag that is amazingly re-usable.
When I went to Connor’s Supermarket in Frisco two years ago, they had a great canvas bag printed with a sea turtle that I picked up and still use.
The flimsy plastic bags that you can see through and need to be doubled whenever I get anything heavier than a half-gallon of ice cream — they just stink. The handles tear off or tear through, and everything always falls out onto the car floor.
The point is, re-use. Re-use everything.
rambler says:
whew ! everyone take a breath and relax.
this is democracy in action.
it’s not meant to be pleasant all the time but it can be pleasant most of the time.
please watch “bag it” on netflix streaming or order the dvd.
Jeb Berrier is exploring the effects of plastic bags, opting to stop using them as his wife enters pregnancy. After conducting research with the help of an environmental scientist, Berrier analyzes environmental problems such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastic fragments are found to outnumber plankton 40-to-1, and contributes to around 100,000 marine animal deaths, including birds, every year. Calls to the American Chemical Society prove to be fruitless. He later discovers that plastics contain chemicals such as phthalates that can carry adverse effects to newborn babies, including decreased anogenital distance. Berrier reflects on the rising rates of male infertility and other such as diabetes, obesity and attention deficit disorder, linking it to the ever-present problem of plastics. The average consumer household products such as baby shampoos are also found to contain unsafe levels of phthalates. When Jeb’s partner, Anne, gives birth, the film gets personal and looks at recently controversial chemicals such as Bisphenol A found in plastics. The film concludes with a review of recycling labels and shows ways that average citizens and consumers can minimize the harmful impact of plastic by reducing its use.
just some new things to think about.
Gypsy39 says:
At least two evenings a week I go to the Jockey’s Ridge beach with an empty bag and pick up trash. Last week that included two plastic bags with wet sand in them from having washed out of the sound (from Manteo?). Between the handicap access and the steps I typically gather between 1-2 pounds of debris, most of it plastic since the oodles and oodles of cigarette butts don’t weigh that much. I’ve never picked up a paper bag and I’ve certainly never picked up a cloth bag for which I get a grocery store discount. Republicans, Democrats, whatever you are, keep the plastic ban in place!
By the way, when I visited Germany you brought your own bags to the grocery store or they charged you a small fee for their (paper) bags.
Sue says:
You also don’t see any plastic crap in Norway. Clean and serene.
tonya says:
Just like my gas, I go to Va and collect the plastic food lion bags and bring them back to NC with me every week.