Plastic Bag Law Activist Toolkit 2019 Surfrider Foundation’s Plastic Bag Law Activist Toolkit for U.S. Cities & States Supplement to Surfrider’s Rise Above Plastics Activist Toolkit January 2019 Written and Compiled by: Jennie Romer, Esq., Founder of PlasticBagLaws.org, in partnership with Surfrider Foundation Table Of Contents I. Introduction: How to Use This Toolkit II. Types of Plastic Bag Laws: a. Why Straight Plastic Bag Bans Are Problematic b. Recommended U.S. Bag Law Structures: Ban/Fee Hybrids and Fee on All Bags c. Non-Recommended Plastic Bag Law Structures d. Important Clauses to Consider in Drafting Bag Laws e. Map of Bag Laws in the U.S III. Preemption: Watch Out That Local Bag Laws Don’t Get Blocked by State Legislation IV. Best Statistics to Include in Your Bag Law Campaign a. Harmful Effects of Plastics & Plastic Bags b. Studies Show Bag Fee Laws and Ban/Fee Hybrid Laws Are Effective V. Start a Bag Campaign in Your Community a. Build a Campaign in Your Community (Using the RAP Activist Toolkit) b. Typical Bag Law Allies and Opponents VI. Implementing a Bag Law a. Implementation b. Enforcement c. How to Gather Effectiveness Data Appendix: Recommended Online Resources, Sample Local and State Bag Laws The information in this toolkit is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your specific situation. CONTACT: If you have questions about this toolkit or would like information and/or help with a plastic bag law initiative in your area, please contact: Trent Hodges Shannon Waters Plastic Pollution Manager Healthy Beaches Manager Surfrider Foundation Surfrider Foundation
[email protected] [email protected] (208) 863-8486 (415) 470-3409 1 I.