United States Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) last week introduced the Trash Reduction Act of 2015 which would take steps to dramatically reduce plastic trash nationwide.
The United States uses approximately 100 billion plastic bags each year, and the vast majority of these wind up in landfills or as loose trash on land and water, according to Lowenthal’s office.
“Americans for the most part all agree that a clean environment is better for us as individuals and better not just for our children, but for all future generations,” Lowenthal said. “Being sustainable today is an investment in a cleaner and healthier tomorrow.”
Lowenthal’s office reports that studies have consistently shown that the best solution to excessive plastic bag trash is to place a nominal fee on single-use carryout bags. Local governments in both the United States and around the world have enacted per-bag charges that have resulted in 60- to 90-percent reductions in the number of bags used.
The bill would keep thousands of tons of plastic pollution out of our water, land and landfills each year, according to Lowenthal’s office. To date, 210 municipalities in the United States, spanning 17 states plus the District of Columbia, have adopted carryout bag ordinances.
“I’m proud of the fact that cities in my district and throughout California have led the way on dealing with plastic bag pollution, but it is time for us to take action at a national level,” Lowenthal said.
“Plastic pollution is one of the most visible environmental impacts of our consumer age. All Americans can reap the same benefits that California has: less plastic pollution and a higher quality of life.”
The Congressmember’s bill would: place a minimum $0.10 fee on each bag provided by retailers to carry out groceries and other purchased items; permit retailers to retain $0.04 per bag if they have a qualifying recycling program; allow limited reusable bag giveaways for promotional reasons; and transfer funds raised by the fee to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support projects that protect and conserve the environment.
Co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Sam Farr (CA-20), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Ted Lieu (CA-33).
