AB 2779 or the “Connect the Cap” bill ensures that all plastic beverage bottles sold in California have the cap tethered to the bottle so it is not lost and end up on our beaches and in our ocean. As bottle caps are the 3rd most common item found on beaches in California and extremely dangerous to seabirds and marine life, this common-sense bill will keep thousands of caps out of our environment.
AB 2379 also called the “microfibers” bill requires that all clothing made from more than 50% synthetic fibers include a label that warns of plastic microfiber shedding during regular washing and recommends handwashing the item in order to reduce the impact. The disturbing discovery that microfibers from our clothes are entering our ocean demands that consumers are at least empowered with the facts about the textiles they buy. This action will also help shift the industry towards producing products that shed less plastic.
SB 1335 also called the "Sustainable Food Packaging" bill will help reduce plastic pollution in our oceans by requiring state parks, beaches, and other facilities to serve only sustainable food packaging. Specifically, under this measure the State will lead by example, ensuring that all food service packaging provided at these locations is reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
1. Call your legislators
This is the most effective method for showing support. Use the link below to find your representative, http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ then you can use the sample phone scripts below for each bill and add your personal reasons for support for the biggest impact:
AB 2379 - "Microfibers Bill"
“Microfibers are tiny plastic fibers that shed from synthetic fabric during regular washing and are the single most pervasive type of plastic pollution. Research has found microfibers in water sampled from locations in the U.S. and within fish and shellfish purchased at local California fish markets. This bill will require that all clothing made from more than 50% synthetic material include a label that warns of plastic microfiber shedding during regular washing. Vote YES on AB 2379!"
AB 2779 - "Connect the Cap"
"Plastic bottle caps and are the third most common item found at beach and river cleanups throughout the state. 5 to 10 billion plastic bottle caps per year are not returned for recycling (i.e. littered or landfilled) in California. This bill will require many single-use plastic beverage bottles sold in California to have bottle caps connected to the bottles. This simple solution already exists, is in use, and doesn’t require any additional costs or big changes for beverage manufacturers. Vote YES on AB 2779!
SB 1335 - "Sustainable Food Packaging"
"SB 1335 will help reduce plastic pollution in our oceans by requiring state parks, beaches, and other facilities to serve only sustainable food packaging. Specifically, under this measure the State will lead by example, ensuring that all food service packaging provided at these locations is reusable, recyclable, or compostable. I urge Senator ______ to Vote YES on SB 1335!"
2. Sign an Action Alert
The Action Alerts below created by our partners Californians Against Waste and Story of Stuff help support passage of the Microfibers bill:
https://cawrecycles.salsalabs.org/ab2379microfibersasmfloorvote/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/storyofstuff/posts/10157484531990884
3. Share on Social Media!
Use your local Surfrider chapter social media handles to get the word out and pass this information along. Be sure to use the hashtags that refer to the bill number as well as hashtags such as #Connectthecap #plasticpollution #breakfreefromplastic Yes on #AB2379, #AB2779, and #SB1335!
Below is some more information about the bills as well:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/04/25/editorial-put-an-end-to-discarded-plastic-bottle-caps-in-california/
Lets make it happen!!!
AB 1884, the straws upon request bill, passed out of the Assembly on Wednesday and is moving on to the Senate for consideration!