San Jose's ban on single-use plastic bags that took effect on Jan. 1 is apparently not generating any problems for consumers--at least that's the word from Jo Zientek, San Jose's acting assistant director of environmental services. "We are survivors of the ban," Zientek said.
Her comments came at the Feb. 2 meeting of the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority. Los Gatos Mayor Steve Rice, Saratoga Councilman Howard Miller, Campbell Vice Mayor Evan Low and Monte Sereno Vice Mayor Curtis Rogers represent the West Valley cities that make up the joint powers organization, which had agendized the plastic bag issue for discussion.
Zientek, who is also a Los Gatos resident, said San Jose is willing to help the West Valley cities implement a ban should one be adopted. "We just want to express support for the West Valley cities to join us," she said. "We'll provide resources and help you with outreach."
Sunnyvale has already adopted the plastic bag ban, and it takes effect there on July 1. Mountain View agreed in late January to begin drafting a ban, and Palo Alto has had one in place for some time.
Although Monte Sereno has no businesses that distribute plastic bags, Rogers said his city is supportive. "We've distributed reusable bags, for free, to our residents to make them aware of the issue," Rogers said.
Numerous Los Gatos and Campbell residents also spoke in favor of a ban. "I think the writing is on the wall. The change is going to happen," Campbell's Pam Ledesma said. "If we delay enacting the ordinance lots of bags are going to become litter, blowing all around."
Los Gatan Cheri Donnelly echoed that sentiment. "After trash day I go around my neighborhood and pick up all the plastic bags," Donnelly said.
A spokesman for West Valley Collection and Recycling acknowledged that plastic bags often don't make it from people's garbage bins into garbage trucks, thus becoming litter.
Saratoga's Miller, meantime, wondered why stores like Safeway haven't gone ahead and pulled their plastic bags from West Valley stores already. "Are they just waiting for us?" he asked. "I think we should tell the West Valley Mayors and Managers Association that we support them doing something. It's a no-brainer at this point. They can coordinate efforts to ban single use plastic bags."
Mayor Rice agreed, saying, "I don't have any qualms about banning plastic bags, but I have a little concern about banning paper bags."
In San Jose, people who forget to bring reusable bags to the store with them can purchase a paper bag for 10 cents. "There is a cost to going to paper bags. That's why we did the 10 cent cost,Admittedly,coachhandbagsreplica, seven of his 15 Test victories came against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe." Zientek said.
Campbell's Low noted that his city is surrounded on three sides by San Jose. "The easiest and cleanest thing for Campbell to do is to follow San Jose."
But Rice said he's not sure he's comfortable with just adopting the San Jose ordinance, pointing out that a Los Gatos sustainability committee is already discussing a ban, and he does not want to supercede their efforts.
Curtis summed things up when he said, "It's obvious there's no support for plastic bags." And so the city leaders agreed unanimously to send a letter to the West Valley mayors and managers group, which includes Cupertino, encouraging them to support a ban.
The issue of banning polystyrene containers wasn't so cut and dry, though.
"The material is too contaminated," Zientek said. "It can't be recycled so it all goes into the dump."
Los Gatos resident Carol Schmitt spoke in favor of both a plastic bag and polystyrene ban, saying she's been volunteering with the Los Gatos Union School District's sustainability committee. Each of the five LGUSD schools has a green team.
"We're trying to teach students that they can make a difference," Schmitt said. "To them, the polar bears are important. The kids want to know what they can do to help."
The West Valley leaders decided to hold off on any recommendation regarding polystyrene, asking for more information to be brought to them when they meet again in May.
Her comments came at the Feb. 2 meeting of the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority. Los Gatos Mayor Steve Rice, Saratoga Councilman Howard Miller, Campbell Vice Mayor Evan Low and Monte Sereno Vice Mayor Curtis Rogers represent the West Valley cities that make up the joint powers organization, which had agendized the plastic bag issue for discussion.
Zientek, who is also a Los Gatos resident, said San Jose is willing to help the West Valley cities implement a ban should one be adopted. "We just want to express support for the West Valley cities to join us," she said. "We'll provide resources and help you with outreach."
Sunnyvale has already adopted the plastic bag ban, and it takes effect there on July 1. Mountain View agreed in late January to begin drafting a ban, and Palo Alto has had one in place for some time.
Although Monte Sereno has no businesses that distribute plastic bags, Rogers said his city is supportive. "We've distributed reusable bags, for free, to our residents to make them aware of the issue," Rogers said.
Numerous Los Gatos and Campbell residents also spoke in favor of a ban. "I think the writing is on the wall. The change is going to happen," Campbell's Pam Ledesma said. "If we delay enacting the ordinance lots of bags are going to become litter, blowing all around."
Los Gatan Cheri Donnelly echoed that sentiment. "After trash day I go around my neighborhood and pick up all the plastic bags," Donnelly said.
A spokesman for West Valley Collection and Recycling acknowledged that plastic bags often don't make it from people's garbage bins into garbage trucks, thus becoming litter.
Saratoga's Miller, meantime, wondered why stores like Safeway haven't gone ahead and pulled their plastic bags from West Valley stores already. "Are they just waiting for us?" he asked. "I think we should tell the West Valley Mayors and Managers Association that we support them doing something. It's a no-brainer at this point. They can coordinate efforts to ban single use plastic bags."
Mayor Rice agreed, saying, "I don't have any qualms about banning plastic bags, but I have a little concern about banning paper bags."
In San Jose, people who forget to bring reusable bags to the store with them can purchase a paper bag for 10 cents. "There is a cost to going to paper bags. That's why we did the 10 cent cost,Admittedly,coachhandbagsreplica, seven of his 15 Test victories came against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe." Zientek said.
Campbell's Low noted that his city is surrounded on three sides by San Jose. "The easiest and cleanest thing for Campbell to do is to follow San Jose."
But Rice said he's not sure he's comfortable with just adopting the San Jose ordinance, pointing out that a Los Gatos sustainability committee is already discussing a ban, and he does not want to supercede their efforts.
Curtis summed things up when he said, "It's obvious there's no support for plastic bags." And so the city leaders agreed unanimously to send a letter to the West Valley mayors and managers group, which includes Cupertino, encouraging them to support a ban.
The issue of banning polystyrene containers wasn't so cut and dry, though.
"The material is too contaminated," Zientek said. "It can't be recycled so it all goes into the dump."
Los Gatos resident Carol Schmitt spoke in favor of both a plastic bag and polystyrene ban, saying she's been volunteering with the Los Gatos Union School District's sustainability committee. Each of the five LGUSD schools has a green team.
"We're trying to teach students that they can make a difference," Schmitt said. "To them, the polar bears are important. The kids want to know what they can do to help."
The West Valley leaders decided to hold off on any recommendation regarding polystyrene, asking for more information to be brought to them when they meet again in May.
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