Court Decision to Require Oakland to Examine Adverse Impacts of Banning Plastic Bags
Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council Applauds Court's Decision Overturning Oakland Plastic Bag Ban OAKLAND, Calif., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council applauds the decision by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch invalidating the recently passed Oakland plastic bag ban. The Court held in a ruling issued late yesterday that the ban violates the California Environmental Quality Act because the City of Oakland failed to review the law's adverse environmental impacts. The Court's decision will become final on April 27, 2008 and will require the City to rescind the plastic bag ban.
After finding that Oakland failed to consider evidence in the record of the plastic bag ban's potentially significant adverse effects, the Court held that: "It is because of that evidence in the record and the unanimity of the uncertainty whether paper bags are less (or more) environmentally friendly than plastic bags that the City cannot assert that there is 'no possibility' of any significant environmental effect caused by the ban. ..." "Like many who have been waiting for this decision, we are pleased with the judge's ruling," said Keith Christman, Senior Director of ACC's Plastics Division. "Banning plastic bags would dramatically increase energy use, double greenhouse gas emissions and increase waste. Recycling plastic bags is the right approach and makes plastic bags the environmentally responsible choice." The suit presented strong evidence that the City's ban would actually result in adverse environmental impacts and would impede plastic bag recycling.
After the decision becomes final, Oakland can decide to address plastic bags through the State's recently enacted recycling program, or it can decide to conduct a thorough analysis of the environmental impacts of the ban. "We certainly encourage the City to help City residents improve the recycling of plastic bags consistent with AB 2449, California's state-wide recycling program," said Christman. "Plastics are a valuable resource -- too valuable to waste -- and we believe effective implementation of the State's recycling program is the best and fastest way to steward environmental resources and reduce litter by recycling these bags." http://www.americanchemistry.com/newsroom The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R), common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $635 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure. First Call Analyst:
CONTACT: Rob Krebs of Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Web site: http://www.americanchemistry.com/newsroom
2008-04-18 17:55:14 0339914 PRNEWSWIRE
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