General Support to Ban Plastic Bags in California to Save Sea Turtles

Support for AB 158 to reduce solid waste single-use carryout bags

Dear California Legislature and Honorable Governor Brown,

The undersigned strongly support Marc Levine's AB 158 to reduce solid waste from single-use carryout bags in California. We support this bill because it will halt the unchecked distribution of single-use plastic bags, encourage increased use of re-useable bags, and increase plastic bag collection and recycling opportunities.

Single-use plastic bags are commonly found littering city streets, creeks and waterways, and polluting the state's beaches. Their abundance makes their presence as litter inevitable, and the fact that plastic does not biodegrade makes them extremely persistent in the environment. Their presence in the environment is extremely detrimental to wildlife because they entangle animals and when ingested accidentally they expose animals to toxic chemicals and cause nutrient dilution or total blockage of the digestive system.

The Pacific Leatherback sea turtle is now California's official marine reptile, and offshore is critical habitat protected for the safety of leatherbacks that feed on jellyfish to survive. Scientists have documented that 35% or more of leatherbacks have plastic or plastic bags inside them - they mistake the litter for food. Plastic pollution is a serious threat to leatherbacks, and many other marine species.

Californians, and the Legislature, have a moral obligation to support protecting the quality of this symbolic sea turtle's offshore feeding area through supporting AB 158 to reduce solid waste plastic bags.

Sincerely,