Paper or Plastax?

www.LAtimes.com

The California legislature let down it's Eco-friendly enthusiasts Tuesday when it opposed the effort to ban plastic bags. Initially, measure AB1998 passed the Assembly in June with the support of Gov. Schwarzenegger and if passed by the State's Legislature, California would have been the first state to ban plastic bags from grocery and convenient stores.

So, why not tax shoppers per plastic bag used? After all, Ireland implemented a plastic bag tax of 15 cents per bag almost 10 years ago, which reduced the amount of plastic bags used by 90 percent and generated revenue for the government.

Californians use 19 billion plastic bags a year according to the Los Angeles Times. I'll let you do the math.

What's the big deal? Well, plastic is a highly durable, non-biodegradable substance composed of toxic chemicals. There is no way to safely dispose of plastic. The only way to reduce the hazards of plastic bags, is to reduce it's use thereby reducing it's production.

Now, if I can just remember to bring my reusable bags into the store.