How to Start a Plastic Bag Ban in Your Hometown
Watch Our Video and Learn How to Get Started
EMBED VIDEO AT: http://youtu.be/odJ4HR2LMio
Lay the Groundwork for a Successful Ban
Identify why you want to start a plastic bag ban and build your campaign around it. Do you want to reduce litter? Save a local waterway? Keep animals and their habitats safe? There are lots of reasons to implement a ban, so you just need to determine what the reason is for your hometown. When you understand the “why” behind the ban, you can create a campaign and explain to everyone from residents and neighbors to businesses and politicians why a ban is a good fit.
Distribute Information
Social media is a great way to reach out to people and distribute information. You can also give real-time updates to keep people in the know. Don’t overlook your local news media to get the word out and educate people about the problems caused by disposable plastic bags and how a ban will remedy those problems. A lot of people use Facebook and Twitter, but you don’t want to create an information void by not reaching folks who do not participate on social media sites.
Make sure to spell out the problems disposable plastic bags are responsible for and explain how a ban will solve these problems. Also, explain to people how to develop a habit of bringing their own reusable grocery bags and how to properly care for reusable bags.
Create a Plan of Action
It’s key to research the laws and regulations in your area. You need to be aware of existing regulations that can have an impact on a possible bag ban and make sure your proposed law fits within those boundaries. Also make sure to take care of any necessary first steps, like conducting an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) or leaving the topic open to public discussion. By learning what you can and cannot do, or what you need to do before a bag ban can be implemented, you will make sure to get off to a good start and tailor your ban to your local laws and regulations.
Good luck and keep us posted so we can add your pin to our worldwide, interactive bag ban map!