Hi all. Last week, I got an email from Californians Against Waste urging me to send a letter in support of AB 2058, the California bill to protect the environment from plastic bag pollution. I wrote and faxed my letter last week and didn’t even think of forwarding the request here. Duh! Here’s a copy of the letter I sent, which is partially copied from the sample that CAW sent me.

This afternoon, I received an email from my friend Benn at Chicobags urging bloggers to spread the word. So this is me doing just that! Here’s the letter from Benn. Please follow the links to either send your own letter or use the form on the Heal The Bay web site provided. It will only take a few minutes. This is important legislation and necessary, since the plastic bag industry has taken legal action against towns like Oakland and Fairfax that have tried to pass their own bag bans.

Action Alert: Please consider sharing this important plastic bag news with others via blogs, email, etc.

Big oil and plastic bag manufacturers are digging into their deep pockets to fund a campaign against AB 2058. They bought radio spots on stations in LA, and probably beyond. They’re spreading misleading information about the bill and plastic bags.

We’re in the home stretch for AB 2058, a California bill that will protect the environment from paper and plastic bags! Bills must be out of the legislature by August 22. Click here to get your representative’s contact info and let them know you support AB 2058. It doesn’t take much, just write “I support AB 2058 and urge you to vote yes,” and you’ve done your part for the environment!

Please post and distribute this message on blogs, websites, list serves, etc. We need letters and support to get the bill passed!

It’s easy to support AB 2058!

Under AB 2058, large grocery stores and pharmacies would be required to charge a 25 cent fee for paper and plastic grocery bags, the proceeds of which would be used for local litter reduction, cleanup and prevention programs. This fee-based approach has encouraged shoppers to bring their own reusable bags and has reduced plastic bag consumption in Ireland by over 90%.

Can I count on you Californians to do it?