Last week, Madison?s Commission on the Environment mulled
over a proposal to reduce the number of plastic containers and bags in the
city. While the idea is still in its earliest phase, discussion has ranged from
prohibiting sale of plastic bottles at public events to banning plastic grocery
bags.
While the city?s environmentalists cite several countries and American cities
that have already taken similar initiatives, the committee should be cautious
about proposing any sort of initiative without seriously considering the
effectiveness of any plastic ban.
A consumer?s loss of choice between ?paper or plastic? may seem rather
negligible, but some could reasonably argue that the benefits of a plastic ban
could have a similarly negligible effect on the environment.
When asked what detrimental effects plastics have, commission chair Jon
Standridge told us that negative effects include recycling machinery
malfunctions, estrogen release, use of oil in production and an increased
carbon footprint.
While these effects are important enough to be addressed, we?re unsure a ban of
plastic grocery bags in this city would provide any noticeable change. After
all, plastic bags are not the only non-recyclable items accidentally mixed in
with recyclable materials. And while a plastic bag ban in China resulted in
saving 5 million tons of oil, taking the bags out of a city of 225,000 people
won?t even make a dent in petroleum production.
So how wide does the scope have to be before it makes a difference?
Much wider than it is now. Comparing the world?s largest country to a
Midwestern city, as commission member Bruce Dickie did, is disingenuous because
it neglects the impact of a wide-scale initiative. The cost of taking away such
a trivial consumer choice would clearly be outweighed by the benefits all of us
would reap from a significantly healthier environment. However, municipal
initiatives aren?t always worth it unless they lead to something bigger.
When San Francisco decided to ban plastic bags last year, it inspired some West
Coast cities, including Los Angeles, to propose parallel measures. If Madison
can spark a similar movement, a widespread removal of plastic may be worth the
minor inconvenience to shoppers.
In the end, any proposed ban is only worth the effort if the momentum carries
on. A state or federal measure would certainly be more appropriate if it had a
decent shot at passing. A city ban would only work if it?s done in a way that
is sensible enough for consumers and provides a model that the rest of the
state will eventually follow.
Environmentalists can argue action is needed now, but rational examination
should not give way to impulsive ?green? fervor. Until the commission receives
specific recommendations from Madison recycling coordinator George Dreckman,
Madison should temper any urge to deal fatal blows to plastic ? be it bag or
bottle.
