OLCV Talk

The debate paper vs. plastic is more aptly named plastic vs. anything is better

While away in Seatle, the person ahead of me in line at Pike's market - the only person ahead of me in a deep line that didn't have a cloth bag over their shoulder - sheepishly looked around and answered, "Yes, I need a bag."

I laughed a little inside my head. Wow, times have changed. He is actually so embarrassed that he didn't bring his own bag that he can't make eye contact with the clerk!

 

Still, the debate continues locally:

Paper or plastic?

Where does that plastic bag come from?

Plastic is a petroleum product - it comes from oil.

Plastic is a by-product of oil refining and accounts for 4% of the worlds total oil production. It is a 'biogeochemical' manipulation of certain properties of oil, into polymers. Plastic polymers are manufactured into five main types; plastic bags are made from polyethylene. Polyethylene, as a raw material, can be manipulated into any shape, size, form or color. It is watertight and can be made UV resistant. Anything can be printed on it and it can be reused.

For the most part, the whole process of making plastic bags requires only electricity (minus the large, fuel burning heavy machinery required to acquire the oil). The electricity used in the actual production and manufacturing of plastic bags comes from coal fire power plants, which, it is interesting to note, 50% of that electricity is generated from the burning of old tires (made from rubber which is essentially, plastic).

Learn more about paper vs. plastic at greenfeet.net.

Maybe if we didn't waste so many of our resources on such an unnecessary evil, we'd have cheaper prices at the pump, cleaner air and feel a little better not having to answer paper or plastic.

There are many alternatives to plastic bags: you can bring your own bag (BYOB - the most environmentally friendly choice) or urge your store to start using biodegradable or compostable bags.

But remember - the best way to shop is with your own reuseable bag. There are tons of styles out that and you'll look really cool doing it.

 

It is long overdue for Portland to shift from plastic. Let's make it happen!

Reflections on Guatemala

I had the opportunity to spend 15 days touring around Guatemala in February with my friend Arianne.

It was an outdoor cornucopia.  We experienced forests and jungles, lakes and rivers, volcanoes and canyons.  We got to reach out and put our walking sticks into lava and watch them catch fire, swam through a cave holding a candle, and spent an afternoon basking in a series of crystal blue pools.

Of course, there was culture to experience too -- wonderful indigenous markets, live music, and the mixing of Catholicism and Mayan religious practices were the most notable.

The food was a mixed bag.  We had some excellent, interesting meals.  But my number one advice to future travelers to Guatemala is not to order a cheese sandwich, unless you're okay with two pieces of toast surrounding a Kraft singles slice with a reddish substance that tasted vaguely of ketchup.

Perhaps the most disappointing thing was that Guatemala desperately needs a new approach to solid waste - their current approach generally is throw it away by the side of the road, in the gully, or wherever.   You'd be walking through a lovely little village and then there was this huge pile of trash thrown right by the road.  I don't know how to say reduce, reuse, recycle in Spanish, but it's a mantra they need to learn if they want to keep their country from being spoiled.

I know they also face other big environmental challenges - deforestation, overuse of pesticides, and contamination of water were the most obvious, but I steered clear of learning much about them.

After all, it was my vacation . . .  Here's an online slide show.

Oregon, even Washington is doing it

What are we waiting for?

Deep sigh... Portland missed out on another first - Again.

San Fransisco was the first to ban them.

Now NYC is one of the first to require stores to recycle them.

Back in April we reported that the San Francisco City Council voted to ban petroleum-based plastic bags from large supermarkets.  After Mayor Newsom signed the ban, San Francisco became the first American City with such a ban.  Plastic bags were replaced with paper and corn-based plastic bags that can be recycled through San Francisco's city-wide curbside compost program.

I'd like to take a moment to remind you that similar bans already exist in South Africa, Taiwan, and Bangladesh. 

The New York Times reports that the NYC Council overwhelmingly passed a sweeping measure today that would require stores to collect, transport and recycle the plastic bags they issue to customers. This puts New York City at the forefront of a growing movement to curb plastic bag use.

Read the article here.

I appreciate that many local stores have taken the first steps to make plastic bags obsolete. Promotions for reusable bags abound. But this is not enough. Plastic bags can still be waving in trees or sailing in the air on a windy day (a performance I see frequently through my office window).

Our original post asked if the Portland City Council will one day take on this issue, after all it doesn't seem unreasonable with our current city council.

The waters have been tested. The public will is there. We just need our leaders to act.

 

Top 5 environmental victories of 2007

What were the top 5 environmental victories of 2007?

1.) Measure 49

OLCV E-bulletin subscriber, Stan Seleen, said it best, "The passage of Measure 49 must be the most important success in 2007.  It is a tremendous relief to know that Oregonians have once again shown their support for our land use planning."

2.) Passage of SB 838, the renewable Energy Standard

The 2007 Legislature passed legislation setting a new renewable energy standard that is among the best in the country.

3.) Passage of all five Oregon Conservation Network's (OCN) Priorities for a Healthy Oregon

You can find out what these priorities are and what they mean for you at OCN's website

4.) More positive pro-environment bills became law in 2007 than in the period from 1991-2005 combined

The record number of environmental bills passed through the Legislature can be attributed to strong leadership fueled by the urgent need to take responsibility to combat global warming, promote energy independence, and a strong wish to protect our children from toxic pollution in our air and water.

The passage of legislation requiring municipal water quality enforcement in Oregon, a major breakthrough in an area where we have had few major victories since the heyday of the 70s, is just one example of such legislation. Thanks to OLCV E-bulletin reader, Chuck Johnson, for this contribution.

5.) The average scores in both the House and Senate climbed to heights not seen since 1977.  The average Senate score was 73% and the House was 69%.

Voters have made the environment a priority and they are choosing to vote for people that understand this.  Expect to see even more environmental leaders elected locally and statewide in 2008.

You can find out how your elected officials voted on the environment in OLCV's Environmental Scorecard for the 2007 Legislature.

What were your top five?