December 20, 2011

This Week’s Program This week we’ll be talking about the proposed plastic bag ban in Chico. The Sustainability Task Force of the Chico City Council has been discussing the issue, and will take it up again in January. We’ll talk first with Sue Vang. She’s a Policy Associate for Californians Against Waste, based in Sacramento, CA.

Later in the show, we’ll talk with Linda Herman, General Services Administrative Manager for the City of Chico. Among other jobs, she works with the City Council’s Sustainability Task Force.

Listen to the Program

Our Discussion with Sue Vang

You are listening to Ecotopia on KZFR, 90.1 Chico. We’re talking tonight about the proposed plastic bag proposal in Chico, and our first guest will provide some information to persuade us that that’s a good idea. She’s Sue Vang, and she’s a Policy Associate for Californians Against Waste. We’re on the phone with hertonight from Sacramento. Thanks for being with us, Sue.

1. First of all, can you tell us a little bit about Californians Against Waste. What is your mission? What are some of the issues you’re currently involved in?

2. As you know, Chico is considering a policy against plastic bags. Can we start by talking about what’s wrong with plastic bags?

3. Californians Against Waste has a “Bag Ban Tool Kit.” Can you tell us what that is? What are some of the most persuasive facts that you provide in your materials? What else is in the kit?

4. When proposing a ban against plastic bags, supporters of the ban can expect resistance from plastic bag makers. What are some of the myths that the plastic industry perpetuates about plastic? What other sorts of resistance do activists meet when trying to institute a plastic bag ban?

5. But bans on plastic bags have been successful in California. Can you tell us about some of the successes? Who’s done it and how have they succeeded?

6. What are the consequences of banning the plastic bag?

7. What advice do you have for Chico-ans who are trying to get a plastic bag ban here?

8. What else should we be doing about single use waste? What other fronts is Californians Against Waste working on?

9. How can people help with these issues? How can they learn more about what’s going on in California and the work of Californians Against Waste?

Thank you, Sue Vang. Sue Vang is a Policy Associate for Californians Against Waste. You can learn more and get involved at www.cawrecycles.org.

Our Conversation with Linda Herman

You are listening to Ecotopia on KZFR. With us now is Linda Herman, General Services Administrative Manager for the City of Chico. Among other jobs, she works with the City Council’s Sustainability Task Force. Welcome, Linda.

1. First, can you tell us a little about the Sustainability Task Force? What are its aims and function?

2. The Sustainability Task Force is considering a ban on plastic bags in Chico. Can you tell us how a ban on plastic came to be proposed? What a ban would mean? Is there a specific proposal under consideration?

3. The Sustainability Task Force discussed the ban on plastic bags a week ago, and was unable to reach a decision on the ban. Why was the task force unable to reach a decision? What are some of the considerations brought up in the discussion?

4. Is Chico looking at other laws or regulations that other cities have enacted as a model for their action? What have been some successful bans?

5. The Task Force will take this ban into consideration in their next meeting in January. If Chico-ans have ideas or suggestions, is there some way they can be involved in this process?

6. What are some other activities in the Sustainability Task Force that citizens might want to know about and be involved in? What should they do, if they’d like to participate?

We’ve been talking with Linda Herman, General Services Administrative Manager for the City of Chico. Thanks for joining us, Linda.

Playlist for Ecotopia 169: Plastic Bags

1. Recycle Reuse Reduce 2:46 Heidi Howe Give a Hootenanny!

2. reduce, reuse, recycle 3:35 The Junkman (Donald Knaack) Junk Music

3. The 3 R’s 2:54 Jack Johnson Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Curious George

4. Working On A Dream 3:30 Bruce Springsteen Working On A Dream

5. Weave Me the Sunshine 4:28 Peter, Paul And Mary The Very Best of Peter, Paul and Mary Folk 96 5/9/11 2:39 PM

6. Big Yellow Taxi (LP Version) 2:15 Joni Mitchell Ladies Of The Canyon Pop 43 1/24/10 11:29 AM

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