Among the many bad things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the resurgence of single-use plastic. It’s understandable that fears about this novel, largely unknown virus have led to the emergency measures California has taken in recent months – including the temporary suspension of California’s plastic bag ban by Governor Newson. Though, this current health crisis shouldn’t be used as an excuse to abandon years of hard-won progress to reduce California’s reliance on disposable, harmful plastic packaging. What’s particularly reprehensible is how the plastic industry is taking advantage of the national crisis. Fortunately, over 115 health experts agree: plastic is no safer than using reusables during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent weeks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance to reflect recent science that the virus does not spread readily through contact with surfaces or objects. There are a number of actions that can be taken to protect our health and environment when bringing our own reusables to the store – such as bagging our own groceries.
- Leave your bag in your shopping cart or basket.
- Bag your own purchases (ensure the employee has no contact with the bag!)
- Wash your reusable bag.
- Maintain physical distancing.
This #PlasticFreeJuly, California Coastkeeper Alliance and our local Waterkeepers are saying NO to single-use plastic for our health & our planet. We’ve engaged our Blue Business Council to urge Governor Newsom to ensure the temporary suspension of California’s plastic bag ban is not unnecessarily extended, and help prevent an ecological disaster from unfolding alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s time to bring back reusables & prevent the flow of plastic into the air we breathe, the food we eat, & water we drink.
Policy Manager Kaitlyn Kalua represents CCKA and its member Waterkeepers in state regulatory and legislative forums to advance statewide water policy.
