I’m writing to support the plastic bag ban for the city of Durango. As a believer in freedom, I am reluctant to advocate any statute that limits freedom of choice. So why support a ban in this case?

There are countless cases where a self-governing people choose to regulate themselves (via their elected representatives) to ensure that positive things are accomplished and negative impacts avoided. That is the essence and justification for the formulation of common law. To view a ban on plastic bags as some kind of extreme “assault on freedom” is, therefore, in my view, over the top.

The real question is whether the benefits of choosing to institute this statute justify the cost in terms of freedom of choice? From my perspective, the answer is a resounding “yes”!

First, the production and use of such throw-away products has countless negative impacts, ranging from toxic contamination to wildlife mortality to the geopolitical ramifications of dependence on Middle East oil. All that for a trivial plastic bag.

Secondly, a ban will have some (admittedly minor) impact on total plastic consumption; however, it will send a very positive signal to our state and to visitors that Durangoans are more than willing to accept a minor inconvenience in exchange for a higher good.

Finally, when I was a kid, we didn’t even have plastic bags to use once and throw away. We simply threw our trash in the trash can, emptied it, then spent a couple of minutes washing it out before using it again. There was no plastic at all. Wow, what an inconvenience!

Please support the ban on plastic bags in Durango as a first step toward moving away from our insane throw-away society.

Gregor Gardner

Durango