From the San Francisco Chronicle, June 27, 2007:

A measure to ban plastic bags from grocery stores and other large retailers in Oakland was unanimously passed by a key City Council committee Tuesday.

The measure, which is very similar to a ban adopted in San Francisco, will be sent on to the full council next week and if approved will take effect in August.

I’m not just keeping my fingers crossed. Here’s my letter to my city councilmember, Jane Brunner today:

Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:46:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: “Beth Terry”
Subject: plastic recycling in Oakland
To: “Jane Brunner” <jbrunner@oaklandnet.com>

Dear Councilmember Brunner,

I have 2 reasons for writing:

1) I read in the San Francisco Chronicle that on Tuesday an Oakland City Council committee unanimously passed a measure to ban plastic bags from grocery stores and other large retailers. The article says that the measure will be sent on to the full council next week and if approved will take effect in August.

Please VOTE FOR this measure. I am doing everything I personally can to reduce the amount of plastic waste I generate, but we need more than a few individuals like me bringing their canvas bags to the grocery store. It breaks my heart when I read about the damage that plastic bags are doing to our environment, in the oceans but even here at home in Lake Merritt.

2) I would like to know what Oakland is doing about curbside recycling of plastics other than bottles. Right now, San Francisco has curbside pickup of Plastic tubs and lids – (#2, #4 & #5). When will Oakland residents be able to put these items in our recycling bins?

Thanks in advance for your response. I look forward to hearing from you on these issues. And I look forward to meeting you at your annual Temescal picnic.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth G. Terry
[street address removed]