The federal government is losing in its battle against marine debris in the newly-created Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest protected ocean area on earth, writes Dina Cappiello for the Associated Press:

Many who had fought to get the islands protected thought making the area a monument would accelerate debris pickup. Instead, after an expensive and aggressive sweep in 2002-2005, the administration decided to downshift to a maintenance level...Ocean currents are still bringing an estimated 57 tons of garbage and discarded fishing gear to the 10 islands and the waters surrounding them each year. Endangered monk seals are still being snared and coral reefs smothered by discarded fishing nets. Albatrosses are still feeding on indigestible plastic and feeding it to their young.

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Up to 80% of marine debris pollution is plastics from urban litter.

CAW and Marine Debris:

• AB 2058 (Levine): Fee on carry-out bags.
• SB 1625 (Corbett): Deposit on plastic bottles.

ForestEthics released a report today highlighting the dramatic impact of junk mail on climate change. According to the report, junk mail produces emmissions equivalent to that of nine million cars, or seven combined US states annually. 

“This report confirms what Americans instinctively know: the scale of junk mail’s waste goes against all common sense,” says Todd Paglia, Executive Director of ForestEthics. “And the junk mail industry is incapable of policing itself on this matter– we need a Do Not Mail Registry to give Americans a choice, and to enforce that choice.”

The report is part of the groups campaign for a Do Not Mail Registry that would give Americans the ability to opt out of receiving unsolicited junk mail.

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Here are additional household tips to reduce waste

The Maui County Board of Supervisors will vote this Friday on whether to ban plastic bags. Maui, the second most populous county of Hawaii, would become the first non-Californian municipality in the country to ban plastic bags if they succeed. Hawaii is particularly affected by plastic marine debris pollution as it lies in the North Pacific garbage patch. Beaches there are routinely affected by huge deposits of "drift plastic".

CAW and Plastic Bags:

• AB 2058 would reduce plastic bag usage and encourage the use of reusable bags by putting a fee on single-use carryout bags.

CAW-sponsored AB 2058 (Levine) will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday.  The bill is expected to be placed on the suspense file, which will be opened later on in the week. AB 2058 would put a fee on paper and plastic bags in order to encourage the use of reusable bags.

The plastics industry recently decided to fund a public relations battle against the bill, paying for radio ads and mailers. Plastic bag ban efforts continue in dozens of municipalities across California.