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I am writing to urge you to ban plastic single-use shopping bags and require recycled paper carryout bags be sold at supermarkets, retail pharmacies, and convenience stores throughout the state.
I am very concerned about the economic and environmental costs associated with plastic bag pollution in our city. Single-use plastic shopping bags are lightweight which makes them more likely to end up as litter on our streets, parks and rivers.
We can no longer recycle our way out of this problem. Despite efforts to expand recycling programs, the recycling rate of single-use plastic bags remains around 5%. The remaining 95% end up in our landfills or as litter, clogging stormdrain systems, and making their way to our waterways. Plastic lasts for hundreds of years in our environment and may never biodegrade. As a result, it poses a persistent threat to wildlife.
Salt Lake City has the opportunity to be an example in eliminating plastic bag waste in our state. Just like other cities across the country have made the wise decision to do so we can show that we care about our environment too.
Please help create and pass the necessary legislation to ban single use plastic shopping bags in Salt Lake City.
Thank you.
