San Carlos Contemplates Ban on Foam Food Containers and Plastic Bags

While cities in the United States realize the seriousness of plastic trash problem, endeavours are being made to take action to handle it successfully. Based on estimates, as many as 100 billion plastic bags are thrown away in the U.S. every year and barely 1 - 3% of it is recycled. So every year adds another 100 billion plastic bags to the expanding pile of plastic waste. Strength is among the most crucial factors which make plastic goods widely used. Yet this property is also the reason why plastic rubbish has grown to become such a grave dilemma today. The non biodegradable nature of plastics means that the waste will continue to pollute land and water for centuries. The waste that ends up in landfills will take more than a thousand years to breakdown. Even after that, the broken down small plastic particles can continue to cause pollution.

San Carlos - The Latest Bay Area City Considering Ban on Plastic and Styrofoam

Numerous bay area cities have either already imposed a ban on plastic and Styrofoam or are contemplating one. The cities which already have the ban in place include San Bruno, South San Francisco, San Francisco, Burlingame, Pacifica, Berkeley, Oakland and Millbrae. Based on a report in, San Carlos will probably be the latest addition to this list. The city council is contemplating a ban on foam food containers or plastic bags or even both. Mayor Omar Ahmad and Vice Mayor Andy Klein have shown keen interest in the ban. Mayor Ahmad in fact established an action plan prior to his tragic demise last month. The council is likely to go ahead with the same plan if the ban is imposed.

Polystyrene foam is a non recyclable product, that breaks down into small particles and results in injury to wildlife on consumption. San Carlos city council might discover banning foam takeout food containers less of a challenge than a ban on plastic bags. San Mateo County, which recently got ordinance for ban on foam containers authorized by the food service establishment Board of Supervisors, has offered help to other cities in implementation of the ban.

Problems in Imposing Ban on Plastic Bags

A ban on plastic bags is often a problematic matter. In depth environmental studies on the effects of plastic bag ban need to be conducted before imposing a ban. Marin County, which imposed a ban on plastic bags, was sued by a group named Save the Plastic Bag Coalition. They argued that a ban on plastic leads to the increased use of paper bags, which is also bad for the environment. Plastic bag bans have been efficiently imposed in San Jose and Santa Monica because these cities had done required environmental studies. However these studies are quite costly and will not be achievable for all cities. Though an ordinance barring the utilization of foam containers is virtually certain, a ban on plastic bags may need to wait in San Carlos.

Although the authorities are committing to endeavors to choose a solution to plastic litter, good results are not expected without having commitment from private corporations along with the general public too. It is necessary that every person consider it their personal responsibility to help with the green cause. Simple changes like businesses replacing single use paper promo items with seed cards, and people in general choosing reusable bottles and bags can easily make a huge difference.