Hercules to Ban Plastic Bags

On March 10th, 2015, Hercules took a major step in becoming a clean, green city, initiating a plastic bag ordinance that will ban plastic bags from businesses.

This ordinance was decided on September 9th, 2014 by the Hercules City Council, but will not be fully enforced until July 15th, 2015, in order to allow small businesses to have time to adapt to the modifications.

The ordinance states that plastic bags, unless being used to package foods, are prohibited; paper and reusable bags are allowed and are required to be made available, but will cost $0.10 per bag.

The letter sent out to business owners of Hercules states, “The intent of the ordinance is to protect the environment by reducing the number of plastic bags in our waterways through the adoption of more sustainable practices including using recycled paper bags and reusable bags.”

“I believe we shouldn't be using plastic bags in the first place,” says AP Environmental Science teacher Michael Hudson. “Paper and renewable bags are much better for the environment.”

“I think that it is a good thing that they’re doing [this] because plastic bags destroy[ing] the environment,” says junior Edric Tom. “By Hercules banning plastic bags, it shows that Hercules is taking a more environmental turn.”

This ordinance is just another step in the right direction for the city of Hercules in 2015. In January, Hercules picked up Alexandria at Victoria by the Bay, a project that will create 43 solar-powered homes in a once empty lot located in East Victoria.

“I think this is also a good thing,” Tom says. “Hercules has always needed to improve in what they’re spending on. Now that they’re building new houses, Hercules is getting itself together.”

Hercules becomes one of hundreds of cities in California to introduce a ban against plastic bags, including fellow Contra Costa County cities El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, and Richmond, the first city in CCC to implement a ban.

The pioneer of this movement was San Francisco, which banned shopping bags in April 2007 and inspired other businesses to do the same in 2012.

Hercules banning plastic bags is the first step in what could possibly be its transformation into a clean, green city. With Hercules making major strides in the new year, it will be exciting to see what this city does next.

All information courtesy of Californians Against Waste and the City of Hercules website.

Californians Against Waste

"Plastic Bags: Local Ordinances." Californians Against Waste. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

City of Hercules "Plastic Bag Ordinance Going into Effect." City of Hercules : Home. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.

#feature #bottom