Three states have four big bills regarding plastic pollution in play and your help is needed! It's easy, all you have to do is pick up the phone and make a call, then sign and share an online action alert. In Illinois, a plastic bag recycling bill sits on Governor Quinn's desk waiting for approval or veto. Everyone usually loves recycling but this bad bag bill is a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing so we are calling for a veto. In Massachusetts, an extended bottle recycling bill took a big step forward recently despite industry opposition. In California, a statewide plastic checkout bag ban and separate foam foodware have passed through one arm of legislature and have critical votes coming up in August.
Ask Governor Quinn to veto this horrible bill by signing our action alert. Call the Governor's office also if you can and ask them to “Please ask Governor Quinn to VETO SB 3442 and pursue more meaningful plastic waste and litter reductions.” (217-782-6830 or 312-814-2121) Cheers to the Surfrider Chicago Chapter for their efforts on this campaign.
If you live in Massachusetts, sign this online action alert from our friends at Sierra Club to urge House Speaker Robert DeLeo to include the bottle bill amendment in the house version of the final conference committee bill. Click Here to find your local representative to give their office a call with the same message. Cheers to the Surfrider Massachusetts Chapter for their efforts on this campaign.
In California, SB 568 and AB 298 are groundbreaking plastic source reduction bills that would lead to cleaner beaches, parks and sensitive areas statewide along with less plastic entering the ocean.
The California State Legislature is also considering a bill that would ban plastic checkout bags at supermarkets, retail pharmacies and convenience stores statewide starting in 2014. Assembly Bill 298 would also require those retailers to provide reusable bags for sale and charge a fee for recycled paper bags as an incentive for customers to remember their reusable bags. California could be the first in the nation to pass a statewide plastic bag ban but it won't happen without your support! Click Here for our campaign page with more info on the bill and an online action alert for you to sign and share.