In addition to the well-known reasons for plastic bag bans, including less waste in landfills, decreased ocean pollution and resulting wildlife deaths, and less storm-drain clogging, there are compelling public health concerns.
Plastics emit dangerous toxins, including phthalates and bisphenols, which are endocrine disruptors. This means that they interfere with normal hormone function and can affect the reproductive, metabolic and neurologic systems, among others.
Phthalates and bisphenols are in our blood streams because of their ubiquitous presence in our daily lives.
The City Council has agreed to study a plastic bag ban and has an opportunity to help protect not only the environment, but, more importantly, the health of Durango’s citizens and visitors.
Furthermore, the business opportunity in alternatives to plastic is quite significant.
California was the first to pass a statewide ban on disposable plastic bags. This was in 2016 amidst suggestions that there would be an increase in food-borne illnesses. Instead, there was a significant decrease in plastic bags collected during the 2017 Coastal Cleanup Day. The ban unfolded essentially as proponents predicted it would, despite a multi-million dollar campaign by plastic bag manufacturers to persuade voters otherwise.
Several Colorado communities, including Telluride, have enacted disposable plastic bag bans already. We’ve missed the opportunity to be the first, but we can still be a leader in this important public health endeavor!
Lauri CostelloDurango
