Ten years after California passed landmark legislation to reduce plastic bag use, the tonnage of discarded bags has skyrocketed. What happened?
It was a decade ago when California became the first state in the nation to ban single-use plastic bags, ushering in a wave of anti-plastic legislation from coast to coast. But in the years after California seemingly kicked its plastic grocery sack habit, material recovery facilities and environmental activists noticed a peculiar trend: Plastic bag waste by weight was increasing to unprecedented levels.
Plastic has been found everywhere scientists have looked: From the deepest oceanic trenches to the highest alpine peaks. Petroleum-based plastics do not biodegrade. Over time, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces — known as microplastics, microfibers and nanoplastics — and have been found in household dust, drinking water and human tissue and blood. These small plastic pieces also carry chemicals and heavy metals known to cause illness and disease.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California Lawmakers Introduce Reparations Bills for Black Descendants of Enslaved PeopleA group of California lawmakers is tackling reparations for Black descendants of enslaved people with a set of bills modeled after recommendations that a state reparations task force spent years studying and developing. The legislative package — a set of 14 bills the California Legislative Black Caucus released Wednesday — addresses everything from criminal justice to food.
Read more »
California lawmakers push new bill to ban encampments on sidewalks, near schoolsA bipartisan group of lawmakers is behind the measure.
Read more »
Maryland Lawmakers Propose Tax on Gun Manufacturers to Cover Trauma InjuriesDemocratic state lawmakers want gun manufacturers to help foot the bill for trauma injuries, including gunshot wounds, following an example set by California last year.
Read more »
Virginia lawmakers criticize State Department for not reimbursing nonprofit group aiding Afghan evacueesMembers of Virginia’s congressional delegation on Friday chastised the U.S. State Department for not reimbursing a nonprofit group that played a vital role in helping Afghan evacuees entering the state in droves in 2021. The nonprofit, Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS), provided aid for thousands of Afghans during a period of federal support lapse after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Despite repeated attempts to recoup nearly $700,000 in costs, the State Department has not paid NVERS.
Read more »
Lawmakers propose bills to improve mental health care for Colorado agriculture workersBrandon Richard is a reporter for Denver7 in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »
Ohio lawmakers propose $20 million for Cleveland land bridge connecting downtown to Lake ErieReporter at News 5 Cleveland
Read more »