Environmental News
One Less Decision for Malibu Consumers as Plastic Bag Ban Compliance Begins “Paper or Plastic?”
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 12 January, 2009 : - - Compliance with the City of Malibu’s ordinance banning the use of non-compostable and compostable plastic shopping bags for point-of-sale distribution began on Dec. 27, six months after the effective date. The deadline applies to all grocery stores, food vendors, restaurants, and pharmacies in Malibu, as well as City facilities, and followed an education campaign the City launched to inform businesses and consumers.
Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich praised Malibu businesses for complying with the plastic bag ban. “The support of Malibu businesses, large and small, sends a clear message that everyone in the City is serious about our quest to clean, preserve and protect our ocean and marine life,” Mayor Ulich said, noting “This is our legacy to the children and future generations.”
After the ordinance was adopted, the City launched an extensive education campaign for the business community and distributed free “Think Legacy” shopping bags made of recycled and recyclable materials.
The City Council pursued the ordinance at the urging of City Councilmember John Sibert, then a private citizen. On May 27, 2008, the City Council unanimously adopted the ordinance, which was expanded to include compostable plastic bags. There is no recycling facility in Southern California for compostable plastic bags.
“It’s not an issue of paper or plastic,” said Jennifer Voccola, the City’s Environmental Programs Coordinator. “We want to encourage the community to recycle their own bags to reduce waste.”
According to Voccola, petroleum-based bags are deadly to marine wildlife which mistake them for food. In addition, less than 5% of plastic bags are ever recycled, ultimately breaking down into little particles that enter the water and soil and our food chain.
Environmentalists from Heal the Bay to Teen Green Team testified in support of the ordinance. Malibu High School’s Environmental Club and the Teen Green Team of the Malibu Boys & Girls Club presented a petition signed by young people from Malibu and surrounding communities, including Oxnard, Calabasas, Santa Monica, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Topanga Canyon.
The Malibu ordinance applies to all City facilities and City sponsored events, all commercial and non-profit retailers and vendors, and any retailer or vendor selling goods at a facility owned by the City or on public property. It would not apply to single-use plastic produce bags distributed in a store exclusively for the purpose of transporting produce or other bulk items to the point-of-sale.
The ordinance went into effect on June 26, 2008. Malibu grocery stores, food vendors, restaurants, pharmacies, and City facilities had six months to comply from the effective date. All other affected retail establishments, vendors, and non-profit vendors have one year to comply after the effective date, or June 26, 2009.
The City of Malibu, incorporated on March 28, 1991, is a dedicated steward of its 21 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Located in Northwest Los Angeles County, the City has a population of 12,575.
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Jennifer Voccola
Environment - Surfersvillage
