There are about 100 such ordinances now, mostly in coastal communities concerned about the plastic trash piling up on their beaches and washing out to sea. Meanwhile, it’s growing harder to ignore the mounting evidence researchers have amassed about the threat plastic waste poses to the environment. A recent study, for example, found that 22 million pounds of plastic trash enters the Great Lakes each year. Disposable plastic waste has gotten way out of hand, and recycling programs don’t appear to be solving the problem. The Ocean Pollution Reduction Act of 2017 (SB 705) would ban stores and restaurants from using polystyrene containers for prepared food starting in 2020.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 12, 2017 12:01 UTC