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Moorpark councilman seeks ban of plastic bags
City would be first in county to enact law
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More from Local NewsMoorpark could be the first city in Ventura County to ban plastic bags if the City Council agrees to a proposal by Councilman Keith Millhouse.
Millhouse said he will propose a citywide ban on plastic grocery bags at next month's council meeting.
"We've learned that these bags are not recycled. They're made using fossil fuels," he said. "We live in a world of limited resources."
Councilwoman Roseann Mikos said she would first need the particulars of the proposal but believed she would support the idea. She said she uses canvas bags and would also favor banning plastic foam containers.
Mayor Pro Tem Janice Parvin also supported the proposal.
"I think it's an excellent idea as a proposal," she said. "Especially when you think of all the oil it takes to make them."
According to Californians Against Waste, 19 billion plastic grocery and store bags are used each year in California, and it takes 4,000 barrels of oil a day to manufacture them.
Millhouse said he got the idea from a proposal to ban plastic bags in Manhattan Beach. He requested a copy of the ordinance.
His proposal also follows state legislation that went into effect July 1 requiring all grocery stores to create an in-store recycling program for plastic bags. Rhode Island was the first state to have such a bill.
San Francisco has a complete ban on plastic bags, and the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ban plastic shopping bags beginning July 1, 2010.
"It seems to be the trend; it's happening in Canada, in China; San Francisco's at the forefront with their ban," Parvin said.
Waste Management spokeswoman Jennifer Andrews said the Simi Valley landfill doesn't have an official stance on plastic bag usage. She did say, however, that it tries to encourage its customers to use canvas or recyclable bags.
"I think everyone agrees that they're (plastic bags) kind of a nuisance," Andrews said.
Parvin said she sees remnants of the bags stuck on the claws of birds, on shrubs along the side of roads as well as in the ocean and streams.
"There's a lot of reasons to ban them," Millhouse said. "They may spend a thousand years in a landfill or end up in our oceans."
Marilyn Padilla, senior media relations manager of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, said plastic bags are dangerous to wildlife if they end up in the ocean through storm drains.
"If a plastic bag ends up in the ocean it can resemble a sea jelly, which some species, like sea turtles, eat. If a sea turtle eats a plastic bag, it is detrimental to their health," Padilla said.
Millhouse believes his proposal would be well-received by Moorpark residents.
"I think Moorpark citizens have often found themselves in a position of leadership throughout the region," he said. "I think it will cause other communities in the area to pause and consider it as well."
Mikos said she knows there may be pros and cons to such a ban but thinks the long-term benefits will outweigh any short-term inconveniences.
"Change is never easy. It will require some lifestyle adjustments," Millhouse said.
Tom Galia, manager of Convenient Food Mart on Princeton Avenue, said the store has to pay for the bags, and he won't be disappointed if they are banned.
"In a way, it would be nice. The customers can bring their own bags," Galia said.
The proposal for the ban has not yet been written. Moorpark residents can be part of the discussion at the next City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.
"The residents will really play a role in the direction we go," Parvin said.
Posted by billy on July 26, 2008 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nothing but a bunch of hippies. I'll take my plastic bags to the stores.
Posted by jbh50 on July 26, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ban everything plastic!!! Lets start using hemp. Its strong, can be woven, and it smells oh so good!
Geez, what a bunch of green loonies!
Posted by ssakoian on July 26, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you get rid of plastic bags, you might save a few lives.
If you get rid of plastic, in general, you won't have various chemicals leaching out of baby bottles to give your infant cancer in 20 years. If you get rid of plastic, you prevent seals, seabirds, fish and other marine life from eating it or getting entangled in it, dying or drowning a miserable death. If you get rid of plastic, there would be more fuel. The sacred cows of India would not be dying because they eat the plastic bags.
If you get rid of plastic, the world might have to look at using re-usable and recyclabe items. New industries could develop. New jobs could be found to replace the old. Trash might not take centuries to decay, and not leach into our soil, aquifers, and other elements necessary to life.
Oh, but forget it. I mean, here, now, are my immediate needs. I need plastic bags every day. I collect them. Boxes and boxes of them. I don't put them into recycling - I don't use them again when I go shopping. I like to fill up my trash cans - even the recycling one - because then I feel virtuous, and fill up MY trashcans with RECYCLED stuff! YayayayayaY! (clapping my hands for me!)
And forget future generations. Your kid has cancer? You got cancer because of plastic/estrogen receptor problems??? Not my problem! No way.
Give me a plastic bag, and I will show you how to be virtuous!
Posted by goodwin21 on July 26, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Plastic Bag Police, Trans Fat Police, Police, Police, Police.... Tell all these idiots, to quit wasting our tax dollars on BS. They can't even balance a budget. I thought we elected them to run our city/state, but their to busy sticking their noses in our trash bags, and writing checks from accounts that have no money, to realize we're all going broke. We need to vote out all elected officials during every election until we get politicians that want to work for the people, not their own interests.
Posted by UncleRico on July 26, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hippies? Moorpark? You obviously haven't been to Pleasantville, er Moorpark, half_and_half.
Posted by moorpark118 on July 26, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I stop laughing I will write a reply. But next up for a vote is the planting of city trees with big leaves so we can wipe our butts with bio deg. products.
HEY COUNSEL, stop telling each other how great you each are and fix the traffic you have failed to do so for decades. This will not save some mud hen but real lives.
I think the counsel are a bunch of dopes.
Posted by goodwin21 on July 26, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright enough of this nonsense.. Lets just take all of our plastic bags (after we've picked up the do poop), and deposit them on the council's front yards. They want to help us and police the plastic bags, the least we can do is drop them off at their homes.
Posted by sparks240 on July 26, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love living in a nanny state. Please Mr. politician, tell me what to do next. I can't think for myself. I need you map my life out for me.
Posted by tsetsaf on July 26, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this guy serious? Moorpark has allowed developers to cut up all of the hills and valleys around the town (isn't wildlife a precious resource) and now Keith wants to ban plastic bags?
How about addressing the real issues in your community, like truck traffic down LA Ave?
The Moorpark city council has always been conveniently ignorant of their citizens needs.
Posted by gogreen on July 26, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Techuser, banning plastic bags whenever you can is a "smart" idea. I haven't lined my trash can with a plastic bag in years, I have used cloth bags when grocery shopping since 1976, and I do not use plastic bags for "green" waste, it goes directly into the green waste can. We all have to use plastic bags now and then, but we can make a conscientious choice of when it is necessary. If it takes laws to help the ignornant to make better choices, so be it. High_society, you're right-"Ignorance is bliss!"
Posted by skeptical on July 26, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is an idea that is long overdue. Plastic bags are incredibly wasteful, especially when there are so many simple alternatives. Yes, you need to think about bringing a couple of bags to the store with you, but you also need to remember to put on clothes, make sure your car has gas in it, bring your wallet, etc. Carrying along a bag or two is not really that much more difficult or burdensome. At some point, convenience is going to have to take a back seat to our environment and our childrens' futures.
People that groan and complain about how much politicians and laws run our lives need to think critically. Without laws there would be total anarchy. Without laws, murder, running stop lights and shoplifting would all be legal. Laws are (usually) enacted for the greatest good for the most people, and this ban on plastic bags is no different.
Posted by john93021 on July 26, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"We've learned that these bags are not recycled."
First of all, who is we and how long did it take for you guys to figure that one out? I don't pay taxes for some dummy to sit with his thumb up his a**. If these bags are using so much oil then talk with the manufacturers, they are the ones who make them! Maybe they can make bags with a different liquid/material. Use your common sense here! Banning things doesn't necessarily mean its the right solution, your just hurting the economy even more.
If your banning bags just because people don't recycle them, then hey why not ban everything else? We have oil, oil filters, bags, cardboard, cardboard boxes, soda cans, plastic soda bottles, water bottles, etc...
Posted by skeptical on July 26, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're on the right track, John93021, your foul language notwithstanding. Manufacturers should be using alternative materials to produce things that we need. But until they are forced to change their ways, they will continue producing things in the cheapest way possible, even if it means using non-renewable resources. This is where a growing tide of bans comes in handy. As more and more entities get on board, changes in the way business-as-usual is done will take place.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on July 26, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I use a combination of cloth bags, and zippered insulated bags from Trader Joe's....which are great btw, cold food stays cold and you can sling the heavy loads over your shoulder.
I keep a couple of bags in my truck for other purchases, though I do forget to grab them sometimes.
I don't see how this could possibly be a waste of taxpayers money. There would be just the time spent to pass the law and record it. Compelling the recycling of bags WOULD cost money, but it wouldn't be in your taxes, rather your grocery bill.
This isn't a "Nanny" state thing, just common sense, paper bags would still be available I assume. It would be nicer if more people would make the effort to avoid disposable bags on their own of course.
Posted by Coaster on July 26, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for Moorpark. Environmental leadership is in short supply. Thanks for trying to do something about the wasteful plastic shopping bags that are strewn everywhere.
I would prefer to see true cost pricing. Stores should charge for bags (why not? They charge for the food they sell. Why are bags free?).
A carbon tax across the board would lessen our use of plastics (a response to the naysayers who think we shouldn't deal with shopping bags if we don't also address every type of plastic bag or any other issue they might think is more important) as well as making more visible the true cost of our oil-dependence.
Posted by dse_kpa on July 26, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uuhhhh...actually, making products out of hemp is not against the law. and just because some of us are environmentally conscious does not mean we are hippies. do some research before you judge, and make some decisions based on intelligence, not greed and fear.
Posted by Coaster on July 26, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mmshoot -- wrong again.
Posted by caokie on July 26, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's Moorpark spelled backwards ? KRAPROOM
Posted by star on July 26, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The more people post about what a lousy idea it is, the more appealing I find it.
Posted by opns on July 26, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What about the recycling of electronic components -ROHS components are now in, otherwise out of country business will not do business with US.
by the way - does anyone remember that movie solvent green?
High-Soc, your a sharp cookie!!
Like reading your posts, your good.
Posted by abbyjacks on July 26, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YEAH!!!! I think this is great. Maybe other cities will follow!
Ventura you are next!
Posted by Face on July 27, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Soylent Green? That is the next step. We can recycle human bodies into crackers to feed to the poor. "Don't forget, today is Soylent Green Day".
Posted by wolf9walker on July 27, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tsetsaf
educate yourself
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?sec...
http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Storie...
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...
http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Storie...
http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/tipsand...
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsi...
http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-dri...
Posted by leahb78_1999 on July 28, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know, the state is already debating whether or not to tax both plastic and paper bags at the grocery stores. To protest the bag tax, when the store clerk asks "paper or plastic", I answer "Neither, and while I'm at it, I need an associate to help me put all this stuff in my car."
I hope that many other Californians will follow suit, putting pressure onto the grocery stores so that they will start lobbying against this bill in Sacramento. It is obvious the legislature doesn't care about what the citizens of California want, but start getting businesses to protest and they will be quick to jump.
Posted by commonsense on July 28, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, ignorance sure abounds here. What harm is there in discussing whether these should be banned or some other alternative adopted? It is clear they are bad for the environment. Maybe paper is or isnt better, but why not bring it out for discussion.
As to sgraven, not sure what grudge you hold against this guy, but moorpark is a great place to live and raise a family. It has great parks, schools, trails, a sense of community and they have done a good job of keeping development impacts minimal.
And in case you forget, land is owned by people and this is america, so they can develop it consistent with zoning, so if you arent going to allow them to develop it, you have to pay them for it. How about higher taxes? Oh, didnt think you wanted to pay for it; just take everyone's land and not pay them; lets start with yours tesetaf.
Posted by live_for_purpose on July 29, 2008 at 2:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We re-use those those plastic bags for my lunch everyday. I'm going to have to go to my garage and get my chainsaw and cut down several trees to make paper bags so I can eat lunch without driving away from work and burning up a large amount of gas.
Also on walks I take one with me to pick up other recyclables--cans, bottles, etc. that people toss into my neighborhood.
Now why can't we put extra plastic bags into the blue recycle bin in Camarillo? They have the number "2" stamped on them!
Posted by jill on July 29, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Trader Joe's has those great red shopping bags for 99 cents. I have about five of them and have used them over and over. What a difference it would make if everyone would do this. They make great beach bags, too.
Posted by commonsense on July 29, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sgraven, so let's see, you hate all the new people that have come into town because you think they ruined the town and all drive suv's and you hate mexicans for a variety of reasons you list. Seems like the problem is with you; not Moorpark and its electeds. The people are what makes Moorpark a great place. Get help for your hatred issues.
Posted by commonsense on July 29, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry to disappoint you sgraven but I don't work for the City, but sure do love living there and am thankful for the great people, low crime, wonderful park system, great schools and the like.
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