Amazing FactsAmazing facts about American cities.

It seems California coastal communities have drawn a line in the sand in the fight against plastic bags. A number of coastal cities have banned or are in a process of doing so.

San Francisco, the 'City by the Bay "in the song by Tony Bennett may have started the fight, led the frontage. In March 2007, the Board of Supervisors that city passed legislation banning plastic bags at super markets and large the pharmacy chain stores. They were the first U.S. city to do so and achieved notoriety here and abroad for its audacity. These stores, now that the legislation has entered into force, now must use compostable bags made from recycled paper or cornstarch. It is estimated that this action has reduced the use of plastic bags 5 million per month in the first year.

Other seaside cities soon joined the crusade. Some have succeeded in the ban, while others have had to rethink its proposals. The small town of Fairfax, California, in the Bay Area, found that when they decided to ban plastic bags in local stores. According to an article published in the magazine and in its issue of July / August '08, "Plastic Industry Strikes Back", the manufacturers plastic bags threatened to sue the city with which they withdrew immediately to start the program. Other cities like Oakland, Annapolis, and Philadelphia followed suit, intimidated by the threat, according to E Magazine deliveries.

The cities of Malibu and Manhattan Beach in southern California have also enacted ordinances prohibiting plastic bags. In Malibu, the council unanimously adopted its ordinance in May 2008, and applies to all retailers, large and small. Large sellers have six months to comply and smaller than a year. Violations will be an expensive option, with fines up to $ 1000.00, Ouch!

Manhattan Beach is having a little trouble with the ordinance approved only this July. Apparently, manufacturers of plastic bags do not retire quietly into the night. A group of eight plastics distributors and manufacturers are threatening to sue as they have done before in such cases. The City Council members are firm and plan to fight demand for insurance that will win in the final.

The basis of the legal position of manufacturers of plastic is replacing the paper is much more harmful than plastic bags. They are probably something right. Research shows that pockets of papermaking as substitutes for plastic is even more wasteful of energy resources and emits more greenhouse gases so the choice of one main concern. However, manufacturers are considering the general aspects of plastic pollution in their arguments? No, apparently – not just the manufacturing. And to argue that the plastic is somewhat less expensive than the role of environment is rather a false approach the problem not you think?

They must find a better way. U.S. industry is always behind the power curve on these issues until forced to confront the problems they have caused. I am sure that with his wit and capacity for innovation – If only based on the profit motive – to do so.

In San Diego County, several cities are in some stage of developing their own bans. Encinitas, a seaside community and pursue environmental activist, has already begun its look-see this ban prompted by a petition signed by 1,500 people filed City Hall by the San Diego Chapter of Surfrider Foundation. The Surfriders deliberately chose Encinitas, due to expectations that a group of environmentalists residing there too hardcore nature upscale yuppies its 63,000 inhabitants, enough enthusiasm and popular support will be developed to pull the Council behind the ban. So far, two councilors have openly sided with the effort. There is an automatic system, with three votes needed to pass. Although not supporters so far, a city councilman says it's probably inevitable for such ordinances to pass along the coastal areas of California, at least.

Solana Beach, a call 'progressive' city – first in the nation to ban smoking on its beaches – a law enacted in December 2007, which prohibits bags plastic advertising to be used on doors and other places where garbage could cause problems. They must now, with its neighboring cities on the way to approval of an ordinance, it is considered enlisting in the wars of plastic.

Plastic bags are definitely a problem that must be addressed. The average American is using over 600 plastic bags a year, and only 5% or less are getting recycled. The rest are going to our landfills – or, worse, are discarded as litter along our highways and roads, on our beaches, our rivers, waterways and oceans. Plastic at sea kills!

There alternatives to plastic bags popping up everywhere on the net. A successful attempt has been made simply to make a bag labeled "I'm not a plastic bag!" which has become popular with buyers in New York. (How is that I am not surprised by New Yorkers?) Recently interviewed Mr. Frank Tinelli, aka as 'Go Green Bag Man', and wrote an enlightening article on his own battle with plastic bags. Frank has recently begun to make a reusable canvas shopping bag with the objectives in mind to make a difference in the war. He formed a company, Go Green Aid Company, specializing in Custom Made, shopping bags High quality seems to be doing well and is a supplier of ammunition in the wars of plastic. We wish him well. It's a start in his eyes, he considers himself a soldier frontlines. Their motto is' Go Green is more than a slogan, it's a lifestyle! "

Plastic is a big problem – bigger than even we expect or that we are aware. Now we tackle this problem seriously. It is not simple, nor will it take to resolve extreme sacrifice. But we must start now. California has the limit in the coastal sand and is leading the charge!