Session Chairs: Sarah Abramson Sikich, Heal the Bay; Jennie Romer, PlasticbagLaw.com
Using California as a case study, experts from a variety of disciplines will discuss how California went from a state with a few local bag ordinances to the first state in the nation with a comprehensive single-use bag policy, with the goal of discussing legislative strategies for marine debris source reduction with conference attendees.
The goal of this panel is to showcase the decade-long process it took California to go from a state with a few municipal plastic bag ban ordinances to the first state in the nation with a comprehensive single-use carryout bag law. Panelists will discuss opportunities, challenges, policy evolution, and pivot points that led to eventual passage of Proposition 67 in 2016 – the referendum that upheld California’s plastic bag ban and paper bag surcharge. The panelists are leaders in a range of sectors, including legal, environmental non-profit, business, education, and government. Each has a unique lens by which they engaged in the pathway to a plastic bag free California, and will provide critical commentary and insights on the roles that various stakeholders play in environmental campaigns, using Proposition 67 as a case study. The dialogue will engage with its audience to discuss strategy and work through opportunities and challenges that areas outside of California may face in advancing source reduction strategies for marine debris.
PANEL:
- – Jennie Romer, Esq, PlasticBagLaws.org
- – Dean Otsuki, B.E.A.C.H.
- – Suzanne Frazer, B.E.A.C.H.
- – Rita Kampalath, Los Angeles County
- – Elissa Foster, Patagonia
- – Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bay
Abstracts
Anatomy of a Plastic Bag Ban Campaign
Authors: Sarah Sikich (Heal the Bay, United States), Jennie Romer (Plastic Bag Laws), Patrick Holland (INVITED) (Los Angeles County, Department of Public Works), Jacy Bolden (INVITED) (The JBC Groups), Betsy Rivera (INVITED) (Environmental Charter High School), Alison Huyett (INVITED) (Patagonia)
Using California as a case study, experts from a variety of disciplines will discuss how California went from a state with a few local bag ordinances to the first state in the nation with a comprehensive single-use bag policy. Panelists will discuss opportunities, challenges, policy evolution, and pivot points that led to eventual passage of Proposition 67 in 2016 – the referendum that upheld California’s plastic bag ban and paper bag surcharge. Panelists will provide critical commentary and insights on the roles that various stakeholders – educational, business, government, legal, and environmental non-profit — play in environmental campaigns, using Proposition 67 as a case study. The dialogue will engage with its audience to discuss strategy and work through opportunities and challenges that areas outside of California may face in advancing source reduction strategies for marine debris.