Marin Plastics Ban 1 | Page 15

Plastic In Marin

Kate Chaplin

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Being one of the most beautiful and expensive locations to live in California, Marin has taken several steps to eliminate plastic usage. In 2009, Marin prohibited restaurants and county facilities from using styrofoam packaging and demanded vendors to use compostable and disposable food packaging. (Guth, 2019) The main issue is that the majority of products claim that they are biodegradable, however they require an excessive amount of heat and energy to break down.

San Anselmo enacted a single-use plastic ban as of November 2019, where food establishments would need to have three-part waste receptacles to dispose of trash, recyclables and compostables. The adopted ordinance also includes food vendors to charge customers 25 cents for disposable cups and fines for a violation after the end of December 2019. San Anselmo hopes to become zero waste by 2025. (Town of San Anselmo, 2019) Several businesses in Marin have already taken initiative to become waste free including Creekside Pizza in San Anselmo. Our group was able to meet with the owner and interview him about what actions they are taking to eliminate plastic usage. Creekside has been using 100% compostable and biodegradable pizza packaging to replace harmful plastic products. In Fairfax, Good Earth and Scoop have also taken several actions to eliminate plastic and implement reusable and compostable containers, straws and cups.

How exactly do plastics impact our environment? Well, since the 1940s when plastic was being mass produced we have used it as a resource in our society. According to Richard Thompson, “Plastics are very long-lived products that could potentially have service over decades, and yet our main use of these lightweight, inexpensive materials are as single-use items that will go to the garbage dump within a year, where they'll persist for centuries.” The production of plastic has several consequences including plastic debris, which affects marine animals including Sea turtles. In addition, plastic waste floating on top water can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and live for thousands of years without breaking down. (Knoblach, 2017)

Overall, if an ordinance for regulating plastics in Marin was enacted our county would be more green and sustainable. In the future as Americans we have to be conscious about how much plastic we use everyday and how it hurts the environment.

single-use items that will go to the garbage dump within a year, where they'll persist for centuries.” The production of plastic has several consequences including plastic debris, which affects marine animals including Sea turtles. In addition, plastic waste floating on top water can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and live for thousands of years without breaking down. (Knoblach, 2017)

Overall, if an ordinance for regulating plastics in Marin was enacted our county would be more green and sustainable. In the future as Americans we have to be conscious about how much plastic we use everyday and how it hurts the environment.