Coastal Blog — Rise Above Plastics
December 01 2011
15 Ways in 15 Days
15 Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in 15 Days for the Holiday Season is an idea from the the Surfrider Foundation San Francisco Chapter. Check them all out here and follow them daily on the Rise Above Plastics Facebook page.
November 30 2011
BWTF Students Paddle Out for a Bag Free LA
Blue Water Task Force Youth Rise Above Plastics Bag Bans
The Heal the Bay Surfrider Club at Santa Monica High School organized a paddle out to bring attention to the bacteria and plastic pollution that heavy rains in October brought to their beaches. Read their press release.
November 27 2011
‘Bag It’ Online Screening This Sunday!
Have you seen the critically acclaimed documentary 'Bag It' yet? If not, this Sunday is your chance to catch it from the luxury of your own home. This Sunday December 4th at 8pm EST/ 5pm PST, the Surfrider Foundation is hosting an online screening for the low, low price of…
November 14 2011
Don’t cave in to corporate pressure!
Over the past few weeks it appears that big corporations are flexing their wallets to help stamp out some plastic reduction initiatives. It started when a lightly viewed 'Refuse Plastic' PSA featuring last season's American Idol finalists was targeted. Next, a major plastics manufacturer poured money into small town plastic…
November 11 2011
You Tube Friday
Everyone loves YouTube, right? So many videos on just about every imaginable topic in one convenient place. It's the second most popular search engine in the world and it's easy to see why when you type in something like 'plastic pollution' and get thousands of video results. Here are a…
October 28 2011
Attorney General Files Complaint for Deceptive Water Bottle Labeling
The California Attorney General decided to take action against misleading water bottle labels falsely claiming recyclability and biodegradability. Attorney General Kamala Harris signed off on a Complaint for Injunction, Civil Penalties and Other Relief on behalf of the People of the State of California. The Complaint points out that the…
October 19 2011
California SB 568: Stayin’ Alive
Remember the polystyrene ban for restaurants in California that we were talking about this summer? It was shelved at the end of the legislative session in September but will be brought back to the State Assembly in early 2012. SB 568 would provide a state-wide ban on polystyrene take out…
October 18 2011
Portland Bag Ban Takes Effect - Bring Your Bag!
This past weekend the much publicized plastic carryout bag ban took effect in Portland, Oregon. After the state legislature failed to act on a statewide bag bill, San Adams and the Portland City Council acted quickly to establish a local ordinance they have been working on for years. The Surfrider…
October 17 2011
Are You a Member?
Are you a Surfrider Foundation member? Do you know all of the benefits to being a Surfrider member? The Surfrider Foundation is a premiere grassroots environmental organization that has local chapters along every coastline in the United States. Our mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches…
October 13 2011
Santa Monica HS Students Report First Flush of Bacteria and Plastics
Blue Water Task Force Youth Rise Above Plastics
The students at Santa Monica High School who run the West LA/Malibu Chapter's Blue Water Task Force program sent out this press release to alert their community about the bacteria and plastic garbage load that flowed out to their beaches after the first heavy rains this fall. Pretty gruesome photos......
October 05 2011
Have you watched One Beach yet?
Barefoot Wine recently released One Beach, a film that tells the personal stories of people who are using creativity and innovation to help keep the world’s beaches “barefoot friendly” and focuses on plastic pollution issues. Directed by renowned surf filmmaker Jason Baffa and produced by Farm League, the film profiles…
October 03 2011
Raptoberfest is here!!
For the entire month of October the Surfrider Foundation and our friends at Rusty will be celebrating RAPTOBERFEST. We’ll be sharing plastic related facts, as well as tips on how to reduce your individual plastic footprint. Share your own tip on how to reduce your plastic footprint on Surfrider’s Facebook…
September 27 2011
Simon Cowell is a Plastic Litterbug
I am going to confess to a guilty pleasure here and admit that I like to watch some of the talent competition television shows. Last week I tuned into the season premiere of The X Factor and was impressed by the talent but bummed to learn that Simon is a…
September 19 2011
Marin County Wins Over the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition in Court
On September 15, 2011, Marin County Superior Court issued its ruling upholding the Marin County plastic bag ban in the case entitled Save The Plastic Bag Coalition v. County of Marin. The Court ruled that Marin County acted properly in relying upon a “categorical exemption” from the California Environmental Quality…
September 15 2011
Top Ten Ways to Rise Above Plastics!
Has the world gone plastic? It may seem that way sometimes but it's easy to reduce your impact. I'm typing on plastic keys right now and my fifteen year stereo has some plastic parts so I'm not going to say all plastics are evil. But some are. As the oceans…
September 15 2011
Chico Bag Fends Off Lawsuit from Single-Use Bag Industry
The ChicoBag Company, makers of reusable bags, has announced that the lawsuit filed against it by Hilex Poly Company, LLC, Superbag Operating, LTD., and Advance Polybag, Inc. – three of the largest domestic manufacturers of disposable single-use plastic bags – has ended. Chico was sued in January under the Lanham…
September 12 2011
How much does it cost to clean up plastic bags?
Listed by Guinness World Records in 2010 as the 'Most Ubiquitous Consumer Item', many people view plastic carryout bags as free but there are hidden costs that can affect us all. First, it cost the stores money to purchase any type of bag they are giving you. Some stores view…
September 09 2011
California Foam Phase Out On Hold
California Senate Bill 568 has placed on the 'inactive file' and has been moved to a two-year bill as Senator Alan Lowenthal decided to hold off bringing SB 568 to a full Assembly vote. Now, it's a two-year bill and will be brought back during next year's legislative session. This…
August 29 2011
YOU can help California make restaurants foam free!
Last week SB 568 advanced through the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee and will be voted on by the full Assembly floor before September 9th! This is a huge step forward for the bill to eliminate polystyrene foam containers from restaurants statewide. Surfrider Foundation is a co-sponsor of this bill…
August 23 2011
Stand with Reusable Bags vs Plastic Giants’ Lawsuits
There is a growing worldwide cultural and societal shift from disposable single-use plastic bags to durable reusable bags. However, instead of adapting their business to this new opportunity, the giant single-use plastic bag corporations and groups such as "Save the Plastic Bag Coalition" are spending millions of dollars on lobbyists…
