Corrina+M’s+2017+OpEd+Article



Proposition 67 was passed on November 8, 2016. This proposition serves to prohibit stores from giving away single-use plastic or paper bags, but would allow the sale of recycled paper bags and reusable bags at at least 10 cents each. At first glance one might think that this is a great opportunity to benefit the environment, but once we look further into its implications and consequences, is it really going to make a significant change in the environment or any change at all?

When voting for this proposition people thought that they would be helping the planet stay green but the truth is that enacting this proposition has not and will not do anything for the benefit of the planet.There is a saying that “every little bit helps” but in this specific case it is a fallacy; charging ten cents for a plastic bag has done nothing. Yes the idea that you are doing something positive for your planet is there but really we aren’t doing a thing, it would be enough to just go and see where the big companies are polluting our air at a significantly faster rate, which has more of a dramatic impact on our environment, for example oil companies, electricity companies,plastic companies etc. or how many people are still smoking and contaminating our air. Those are the real polluting agents. Before proposition 67, you had the habit to recycle your market bags and that was plenty, that was good; now a business company will sell you a plastic bag at 1000% over the regular cost of that plastic bag and we don't scream murder.The show is so well done that we feel good they are stealing our money with those expensive bags. Another controversial problem is that you have to buy a new bag almost every trip you take to the grocery store because you forget to bring one. Not only are you not recycling your torn bags but you are throwing them to the trashcan same as before.

The extra money made through this new law is not going to save the dolphins or be used to make plastic recycling machines more effective but it sure will be lining the pockets of already very rich people. We should feel proud and happy for doing our best for the ecology (even though it is futile) but these shrewd people should feel ashamed.