I am writing today to ask you to help pass a resolution that would ban the use of plastic bags in our city. Plastic bags are an unnecessary environmental hazard since many eco-friendly options exist like paper or canvas shopping bags.

Every year, 15 billion pounds of plastic are produced in the U.S., but only 1 billion are recycled. At a time where many people are trying to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are collectively using about 12 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bags that are used each year. Many of these bags end up on the streets and sidewalks or caught in tree branches. Others wind up in rivers and streams, where they are washed out to sea.

Once these bags end up in the oceans, they join other types of plastic trash from around the world and are often swept up in currents to make its way to enormous whirling eddies of trash. The largest, near Hawaii, is more than a thousand miles across and contains more plastic than plankton. Plastic bags and other bits of floating debris are mistaken for food by seabirds, turtles, and other marine life. Up to 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles die each year as a result of plastic debris.

We can break ourselves of the plastic bag habit. Some governments and retailers have begun taking steps to phase out plastic bags. San Francisco banned them in 2007, and several countries have either banned or taxed the use of plastic bags. Whole Foods announced plans to drop plastic bags by Earth Day, 2008, and gives customers a small discount if they bring their own bags. Henry's & Cream of the Crop also give discounts if you bring your own bag.

I hope that our city can be another shining example of environmental responsibility. I encourage you to take a stand and add our city to the growing list of cities and towns that are banning plastic bags.

BYOB = Bring Your Own Bag!