Senate Votes to Pass Legislation on Plastic Pollution

Thursday, May 31 2018

Sacramento, California – The California State Senate voted to pass SB 1422 and SB 1263. Both measures are authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D–La Cañada Flintridge.  They will help increase the knowledge of the risks of micro plastic materials and microfibers on the marine environment and drinking water.  These issues impose a potential threat to the public’s health as the levels of micro plastics in drinking water are not currently monitored.

SB 1263 takes the initial step in addressing the micro plastic problem and would require the Ocean Protection Council to implement a statewide micro-plastics strategy and authorizes marine research institutes that would contribute directly to the development of the statewide micro plastics Strategy. SB 1422 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt requirements for the annual testing and report of the amount of micro-plastics in drinking water.

“It is crucial that the public be made aware of the extent of micro plastics present in drinking water because of the potential dangers they pose to human health and the environment. Greater knowledge of the contaminants in drinking water can lead to increased efforts at recycling, decreased use of plastics, decreased pollution, and an overall healthier public and planet. This bill would add micro plastics to the list of contaminants monitored, given the high levels present and their potential effects on public health.” commented Senator Portantino

The annual global plastic production has risen from 1.9 million tons in the 1950s to 317 million tons in 2012.  Although plastic represents a relatively small fraction of the overall waste stream in California, plastic waste is the predominate form of marine debris.  Plastics are estimated to compose 60-80% of all marine debris and 90% of all floating debris. It is estimated that by 2050 plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish per pound, according to a report by the World Economic Forum, The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics.

All plastic in the ocean will eventually become micro plastic and are confused with small fish, plankton, or krill and are ingested by other aquatic organisms. In 2017, scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University found that corals are also ingesting small plastic particles, which remain in their stomach cavities and impede their ability to consume and digest food.

SB 1263 is supported by California Association of Sanitation Agencies, California Municipal Utilities Association, and California Retailers Association. SB 1422 is supported by Californians Against Waste and Sierra Club California.

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