The Plastic Fight: Why Showing Up Matters

Posted on 25 February 2024
By Hoiyin Ip

Last November, Irvine captured statewide attention for its decision to nix a proposed plastics ban despite overwhelming community support. As a longtime activist at the city hall, even I was surprised that the city council voted down the ordinance in its entirety.

Derived from fossil fuels, plastic poses significant environmental challenges including environmental injustice. Exxon, being the No.1 contributor to single-use plastic waste generation, has actively lobbied against plastic legislation from DC to Sacramento. Noteworthy is Irvine's decisive move to divest from fossil fuel companies following a heated debate regarding Exxon at a city council meeting.

A difference between the divestment decision and the plastics ban decision is the absence of the fossil fuel industry versus the conspicuous presence of the plastic industry and its allies.

As an individual lacking the wealth and influence of industry lobbyists, I feel very lucky to know many individuals who continue to inspire me to show up at the city hall to push accountability. Persistent advocacy is all we can do. See what we’ve done in Orange County and at the state level during my advocacy for Irvine's plastics ban - though not as much as we should have achieved amid the escalating plastic crisis, we remain resilient. 2024 brings new hope with four bills aimed at some of the very issues Irvine tried to address. Together, we have the power to inspire change.

	Orange County	State of California
2018		AB 1884 became a law, requiring plastic straws upon request.
2019	Dana Point and San Clemente strengthened their existing polystyrene foam foodware ban.	AB 619 became a law, allowing us to bring our own cups and containers to restaurants. AB 1162 became a law, banning small plastic bottles of toiletries in hotels.
2021	Laguna Beach banned single-use plastic foodware from restaurants, beaches, parks and trails.	AB 1276 became a law, requiring foodware accessories upon request.
2022		SB 1046 became a law, banning non-compostable produce bags.
2023	Laguna Beach banned the sale, distribution and use of single-use balloons.
2024		AB 2236 and SB 1053 would ban the use of plastic bags by grocery stores and stores that sell food. SB 1167 would require chain restaurants to provide dine-in customers with non-toxic reusable cups. AB 2648 would prohibit state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic beverage bottles of 21 fluid ounces or less.

On March 16, we’ll have an opportunity to share insights on our next steps. Thanks to Councilmember Kathleen Treseder for inviting us to co-host the Plastic Waste Reduction Town Hall. And we’re grateful to have Raj Thairani of Gutride Safier LLP representing the Sierra Club, Andrea De Vizcaya Ruiz PhD of UC Irvine, and Chris McGuire of Amis de la Terre Zero-Waste Market as panelists. Join us for a meaningful discussion in person or online.