In an editorial today, the L.A. Times came out in favor of banning single-use plastic bags in California. The bill is awaiting consideration by the California Senate.
Jun
3
3
California could be first again! Plastic bag ban may become reality soon
There was once a time (pre-circa 1980) when bags like this didn't exist, or were at least rare. Can we live without them again?
California could become the first state in the nation, again. This time it’s regarding single-use plastic bags, long an enemy of Zero Waste activists.
The bill, AB 1998, would require people to bring “reusable bags to the store or pay at least 5 cents each for recycled paper bags at the checkout counter.” (LA Times) It passed the state Assembly yesterday. Next stop, the California Senate.
The grocer’s association supports the bill. Some cities have already passed similar messages including San Francisco, Malibu and Palo Alto.
Governor Schwarzenegger supports the bill.
Californians use 19 billion such bags a year, or 552 per person! (LA Times).
A shocking number of these bags end up in the ocean and endanger marine life.
Source: Waste Free OC
May
6
6
California’s success inspired . . . fraud
California’s innovative policies regarding recycling have kept us at the forefront of the nation when it comes to diverting recyclable materials from our waste stream.
Unfortunately it also inspired some fraud. Be forewarned, the penalty for taking advantage of our state is steep.
More from the Sacramento Bee: “31 Arrested in $3.5 million Calif. recycling fraud.”
Here’s the release from the Attorney General’s office.
Apr
26
26
CalRecycle 2010 Waste Reduction Awards Program Announced
Applications due by Tuesday, June 15
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is currently accepting applications for its 2010 Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) through June 15, 2010. California businesses, private schools, and nonprofit organizations that have made strides in recycling, waste reduction, green procurement, and other environmentally friendly programs are encouraged to apply.
“Reducing waste makes good sense for the environment, and good sense for the bottom line,” said CalRecycle Acting Director Margo Reid Brown. “WRAP gives businesses across California recognition for implementing practices that help protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.”
Every entry is evaluated individually, based on reported waste prevention, recycling and composting, procurement, and educational activities; winners will be announced this fall. All winners will receive authorization to use the WRAP promotional logo on their products, in advertising, and on business Web sites to help market their efforts to make a significant contribution to the environment.
In 2009, more than 200 businesses received recognition through WRAP. Winners included many small companies like the San Benito Shutter Company, and Whittier, Calif.-based The Flag Shop, as well as large corporations including 20th Century Fox and Safeway. These businesses reported $180 million in operational savings from their combined waste reduction efforts.
No matter the size of a company or type of business, reducing waste has a significant impact on the state’s overall waste diversion efforts. California generates more than 90 million tons of municipal solid waste each year, and more than half of that amount comes from the commercial sector.
WRAP has been recognizing business waste reduction efforts since 1993. The 2010 application and guidelines are available at http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/wrap. Entries must be submitted using the online application. For details, call (916) 341-6199, or contact the WRAP Program Coordinator at wrap@calrecycle.ca.gov.
Source: CalRecycle
Apr
12
12
Zero Waste San Diego–Earth Fair volunteers needed
From Laura Anthony of Zero Waste San Diego:
This will be the third year for the San Diego Earth Fair to set a goal of becoming a Zero Waste Event. We have partnered with the City of San Diego, Earth Works, EDCO and Urban Corp of San Diego and would like you to be a part of it!
If you are interesting in volunteering please fill out the attached application by clicking here.
Recycling has been available since the beginning of Earth Day and recently collection of organic materials for composting has been added. In the past, the organics bins were only placed in the food court area, but this year we will have the organics bins placed throughout the park. There remains some mixed material in the trash, comprised of both non-recyclable and recyclable materials, but most of this material can be recycled.
Our members and volunteers have a very important responsibility. To get to zero waste we need to make sure that the attendees use the appropriate bin. Our volunteers will be the guide. We will use this opportunity to teach attendees how zero waste can eliminate the need for landfills and concepts such as “waste,” educate attendees about the need for manufacturer redesign and responsibility, greenhouse gas emission reductions by recycling and monetary value of resource management versus landfill reliance.
We ask your assistance to make this worthy goal a reality this Earth Day.
The event takes place on Sunday, April 18th at the Balboa Park. We ask that each volunteer commit a minimum of 5 hours. The first shift will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm and the second shift will be from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. If you would like to volunteer for more than 4 hours, we do have lead volunteers spots open and/or you can pick up double shifts.
Great opportunity for students to pick up community service hours.
The minimum age we are looking for this event is 16 years old, but this can be negotiable.
If you are interesting in volunteering please fill out the attached application by clicking here.
We need your help to create a zero waste event.
Apr
2
2
The best tax ever? D.C. sets a STAND FOR LESS example with new tax.
None of us like taxes, but what if a tiny (and optional) tax could have a massive impact? Plastics are filling our landfills and oceans. Single-use plastic bags are one of our worse examples of unnecessary modern excess.
Washington, D.C. instituted a 5 cent tax on plastic bags and like magic, plastic bag use plummeted. Grocery stores gave out only 3 million bags in January after the new tax went into effect compared to an average of 22.5 million bags per month prior to the new tax.
Now that’s standing for less and standing for a change in behavior that was bad for the environment! The money raised from the tax is going to be used to clean up a local urban river that is notoriously polluted.
Source: The Washington Post.
Apr
1
1
The U.S. Navy stands for less
The Navy has a huge presence here in San Diego.
Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) has won both the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and the Secretary of the Navy’s (SECNAV) fiscal year 2009 Environmental Awards in the category of Environmental Quality.
The Navy has taken measures to STAND FOR LESS water used in landscaping–10 million gallons less annually!
The Navy holds “bi-annual community clean up events and has a monthly harbor clean up program which, together, removed just under 10,000 pounds of trash from the community in 2009.”
The Navy also diverted 24 tons of electronic wastes from the landfill.
Source: The Navy Compass.
Mar
25
25
Zero Waste San Diego workshop April 3
Mark you calendars for an amazing workshop on April 3.
Nationally acclaimed sustainability expert Portia Sinnott will be presenting on integrating zero waste into your day-to-day activities and discussing how you can develop low impact habits in tune with your values - while still having a fun and satisfying life. She is seeking five local folks willing to be interviewed at the event about their zero waste lifestyles. All interested are welcome to contact her - especially parents, teachers and small business people.
Mar
16
16
Captain Charles Moore’s Letterman appearance
Last night Captain Charles Moore appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to discuss the huge mess in the middle of the Pacific Ocean–the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Moore is the founder and research coordinator of the Agalita Marine Research Foundation.
Keep scrolling for more from STAND FOR LESS . . . .
Mar
8
8
007 has a reusable bag, do you?
Enjoy this video that came via our friend’s at Surfrider San Diego:
00Z - Bag-Equipped from marty benson on Vimeo.
Read more about the Surfrider Foundation here.
Keep scrolling on this page for more from STAND FOR LESS . . . .