Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, and Jacksonville has a chance to make a significant impact by banning single-use plastic bags. Every year, billions of plastic bags are discarded globally, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste in our oceans, rivers, and streets. These bags take hundreds of years to decompose, harming marine life, polluting waterways, and clogging storm drains.

In the U.S., less than 10% of plastic bags are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, littering our neighborhoods, or drifting into our oceans. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only 4.2 million tons of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are generated in the U.S. annually, with a very small portion being recycled (https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/plastics-material-specific-data In Jacksonville, our proximity to the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean makes us particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. Marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, and birds, mistake plastic bags for food, leading to injury or death. A study published in Scientific Reports found that plastic pollution kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals each year (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-63870-1

Many cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, and even the entire state of California, have already implemented plastic bag bans with tremendous success. In San Jose, California, after banning plastic bags, the city saw an 89% reduction in plastic bag litter in storm drains (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7201836/ Washington, D.C.’s bag charge led to a 60% decrease in bag use in its first year (https://doee.dc.gov/service/skip-bag-save-river

By banning plastic bags, Jacksonville can reduce the amount of waste going into our landfills, keep our streets and waterways clean, and protect our wildlife. A ban on plastic bags will also save the city money by reducing the costs associated with cleaning up plastic waste and unclogging storm drains. For instance, San Francisco estimates that its plastic bag ban saves the city millions of dollars annually in litter control costs (https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Study-Bag-ban-lowered-litter-cleanup-costs-in-11124310.php

Jacksonville residents want a cleaner, greener city. Together, we can make a significant step toward reducing plastic pollution and creating a more sustainable future. Let’s urge our city leaders to pass a plastic bag ban and join the growing list of cities making a positive environmental impact.

Sign this petition to support a plastic bag ban in Jacksonville. Let’s create a cleaner, safer environment for future generations!