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Hawaii

In May 2012, Hawaii became the first state to ban plastic bags. The law specifically bans non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout counters as well as paper bags that are not at least 40 percent recycled.

As a marine state, Hawaii is very exposed to the direct impacts of plastic pollution and the damage it does to the marine environment. Coastal states have an even greater responsibility to decrease plastic pollution due to the exponential growth of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

"Passing the bans did take an effort -- change always does -- but people seemed to understand the need for such an effort," Robert Harris, director of the Sierra Club's Hawaii chapter, told msnbc.com.*

*http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/science/green/120523/hawaii-becomes-first-state-ban-plastic-bags

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What is the only state in the USA to have banned plastic bags?

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Plastic bags are modern day tumbleweeds that can be seen floating in the sea and across the land. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a huge area of plastic litter floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is estimated to be twice the size of Texas. The Garbage Patch has not only grown 100 fold in 40 years, it has also changed the way some marine life reproduce.* Many states have considered banning plastic bags but supporters face extreme opposition from the plastics industry and big oil lobbyists.

What do you think are the barriers to banning plastic bags in your area? Please take the quiz and comment below.

*http://scrippsnews.ucsd.edu/Releases/?releaseID=1271

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It's really simple to carry your own recycled bags to the store. If you forget, you can ask for paper. How easy, and how considerate to Mother Earth. C'mon, just say "no" to plastic.

Bonnie Cogdill

How bout those cloth bags? Or take in small cardboard boxes you would otherwise throw out. "mother earth" ain't my mama!!! Love you, Sis!

Sadie DeSimone

Yea for cloth bags! I just carry an old Vera Bradley handbag if I'm only picking up a couple of things -- with another foldable vinyl or cloth bag tucked inside in case something pleads with me to take it home -- could be anything from marshmallows for my hot cocoa to fresh organic kale for my tasty, crunchy, salty, kale chips. Yum!

Remember the movie, The Graduate-where the husband of the woman Dustin is admiring says, "plaastics are our future", or something to that effect. Well, low and behold-the wonderful human race is now faced with a problem that no one could imagine. Plastic pollution, it's breaking down in the oceans and the marine life is eating it and we're eating them and the plastic we manufactured. Can you spell cancer? I don't think that in my lifetime the human race will learn enough to stop...

Remember the movie, The Graduate-where the husband of the woman Dustin is admiring says, "plaastics are our future", or something to that effect. Well, low and behold-the wonderful human race is now faced with a problem that no one could imagine. Plastic pollution, it's breaking down in the oceans and the marine life is eating it and we're eating them and the plastic we manufactured. Can you spell cancer? I don't think that in my lifetime the human race will learn enough to stop polluting Spaceship Earth. I can only hope that science is hip enough to stop all pollution somehow so that what we pass onto our children won't kill them.

Linda Horton

It is a threat to the coastal economy. It is a danger to marine life.....and more....

Caroline Aubrey

Uncle you are so cool!!!

We made the change from paper to the plastic. Why not from the plastic to the forever bags? works for me.

Bill Dugan

me too! I keep a few in the car as well as well as around the house! No muss no fuss!

....and recycle EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN! E.A.R.T.H.......Every Americans Responsibility To Help! This IS YOUR PLANET!

Mark Kump Murphy

This isnt OUR planet, we have to have permission to do everything. Man I wish I were an illegal so I had more FREEDOM

I don't remember my reusable bags 100%, but when I forget I do recycle my plastic bags at Publix. I can't wait till there are no more plastic bags to be floating around in the ocean, killing sea creatures.

I believe all foods that are in plastic should go to glass. Glass keeps milk and foods fresher. Every state should ban all plastic and styrofoam.

O PROBLEMA NÃO SÃO OS PLÁSTICOS E E NEM AS INDÚSTRIAS. ESTAS SÃO COMPOSTAS POR GENTE E SENDO ASSIM , A SOLUÇÃO É NÃO COMPRAR MAIS NADA OU RECICLAR. ENTÃO COMO NÃO FAREMOS A PRIMEIRA SOLUÇÃO SÓ NOS RESTA RECICLAR OU RECICLAR. PRECISAMOS COMEÇAR PELA MENTE. MENTES EM AÇÃO!

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