We're delighted to welcome guest blogger Julie Hancher into the PennFuture living room. Julie is author of the must-read Green Philly Blog. Residing in Philly, Julie enjoys drinking local craft beer, long bike rides and playing kickball – sometimes all in one day. Send her your love/hate of plastic bags at @greenphillyblog.
By Julie Hancher
The third time is a charm… or, at least, we hope.
Philadelphia has introduced legislation twice – in 2007 and 2009 – to implement a plastic bag fee. The plastic industry blocked the measures both times.
Since 2009, many U.S. cities – including L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Austin, Portland, Aspen AND the Hawaiian islands have all either passed plastic bag fees or bans. Entire countries including South Africa, Ireland, Oman, Ethiopia, China and France have either implemented fees or bans. So what’s the holdup for Philly – and the U.S.?
Opposition
The plastics industry has a pretty sly story at this point. Crying wolf about how fees hurt the low-income population and kills jobs. Arguing that plastic is more environmentally friendly than paper (and even your own reusable bag).
However, the arguments don’t add up. Quality of life for low-income residents is impacted most by litter and plastic bags. The plastic bag industry refuses to disclose numbers of jobs and percent of business affected in Philadelphia. Industries must adapt to the times – look at the newspaper industry, booksellers, or music. Plus, products such as asbestos or cigarettes -- once regarded safe and commonplace -- had to be replaced by cleaner, healthier alternatives.
Finally, the argument isn’t plastic versus paper – any bill in Philly would likely include a fee on plastic and paper alike. Plastic bags have been around for less than 40 years. People should use reusable bags when they can or refuse a bag when unnecessary.
So what’s the solution?
2013 is our year.
Logan Welde of the Clean Air Council and I have been working on common-sense plastic bag legislation for the past year. With partners Clean Water Action, PennFuture and PennEnvironment along with other organizations, we are gathering support for a bill in Philadelphia City Council.
How can you help?
The issue of plastic bags is only going to become more important as time passes. You can get involved and make a difference by helping with one of the following:
• Sign the change.org petition to fight plastic bags.
• Like the Reduce Plastic Bags in Philadelphia Facebook page to follow updates.
• Contact – email, call or tweet – your local city councilmember to tell them this issue matters to you – and Philadelphia.
