Y’all! Please sign the attached petition. Demand the House Municipal Committee vote NO to HB 192, to State government overreach, and to plastic industry bullying. NO to HB 192 means YES to Sustainability, to clean water, clean streets, and local decision making. PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE ASAP, the bill goes to committee Thursday!
https://www.change.org/p/the-louisiana-state-legislature-say-no-to-big-plastic-bullying-our-cities-yes-to-local-control
CALL TO ACTION: Email state representatives TODAY!
Y’all: We need your help! The plastics industry and Rep. Hollis from St. Tammany are trying to shut us down by prohibiting disposable bag regulations! So we need you to email them and tell them you DON’T support this bill. Just copy and paste the text below into an e-mail and send it off. The bill goes to committee THIS THURSDAY – so please SHARE this call to action with your friends so the committee hears our concerns!
TO: berthelotj@legis.la.gov, huvalm@legis.la.gov, billiotr@legis.la.gov, bouiej@legis.la.gov, carters@legis.la.gov, davisp@legis.la.gov, edmondsr@legis.la.gov, gloverc@legis.la.gov, hilfertys@legis.la.gov, jenkinss@legis.la.gov, lyonsr@legis.la.gov, marcelled@legis.la.gov, nortonb@legis.la.gov, pughs@legis.la.gov, richardj@legis.la.gov, smithp@legis.la.gov, whitema@legis.la.gov, willmott@legis.la.gov, barrast@legis.la.gov, legerw@legis.la.gov
SUBJECT: Vote NO to HB 192
EMAIL: Dear Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs committee member,
I am writing to you today as a very concerned citizen of Louisiana in opposition to Rep. Hollis’ HB192, which would prohibit localities from regulating any carrier containers – i.e. plastic bags or to-go boxes. You will hear arguments on this bill in committee this Thursday morning.
I am asking you to oppose this bill: It is a prime example of the state legislature overreaching into local affairs. Municipalities pay for their own waste management, and they should be able to enact sensible, locally-relevant regulations to control their own costs.
So please kill this bill while it’s still in your committee. Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
If you have time, please also call any of the numbers below, and say “Vote No to HB 192.”
John Berthelot (225)647-5646
Mike Huval (337)332-3331
Robert Billiot (504)436-8929
Joseph Bouie (504)286-1033
Stephen Carter (225)362-5305
Paula Davis (225)362-5301
Rick Edmonds (225)295-9240
Cedric Glover (318)221-7775
Stephanie Hilferty (504)885-4154
Sam Jenkins (318)632-5970
Rodney Lyons (504)510-5417
Denise Marcell (225)359-9362
Barbara Norton (318)632-5887
Stephen Pugh (985)386-7844
Jerome Richard (985)447-0999
Patricia Haynes Smith (225)342-7106
Malinda B. White (985)730-2147
Thomas Wilmott (504)465-3479
Taylor Barras (337)373-4051
Walt Leger (504)556-9970
Thanks to everyone who has donated to our 10,000 Reusable Bag Giveaway so far! If you haven’t, please donate if you can and share with your friends.
We are also seeking organizational sponsors. If you own a business or run an organization and are interested in learning more, contact max@nowastenola.org.
https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/10-000-reusable-bag-giveaway-in-new-orleans
Check out the Advocate’s article about the recent proposal to prohibit cities from regulating disposable bags. Our president, Max, spoke his use of reusable bags and about the harm that would come if this bill was passed.
We would like for you to comment on this article and write letters to the editor about your views of this bill and the harm that disposable plastic bags cause. Thanks for your continued support!
http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/news/politics/15147513-123/bill-filed-in-legislature-would-block-proposed-plastic-paper-bag-fees-in-new-orleans
URGENT: Unfortunately, Representative Hollis from St. Tammany has sponsored a bill that would PROHIBIT city governments from regulating disposable bag waste. If passed, this bill will prevent local governments from protecting their residents, businesses, and environment.
http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=977420
No Waste NOLA has fought for cleaner streets, a more efficient economy, safer waterways and wildlife protection by working with the New Orleans City Council to pass an ordinance that would decrease our reliance on disposable bags. If you believe in our cause please take the time to share this post, or to donate to our 10,000 Reusable Bag Giveaway fundraiser. We will distribute these bags to raise awareness about the harms of disposable bag waste, while encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle.
Thanks again for supporting us throughout these efforts!
We are excited to announce our next project, our 10,000 Reusable Bag Giveaway! With this program, we hope to educate people in the city about the social, environmental and economic advantages of switching to reusable bags. We are trying to raise $20,000 to be able to support this program, and we hope you will help us reach our goal!
https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/10-000-reusable-bag-giveaway-in-new-orleans
“Scottish government research concludes that a reduction of 650 million bags north of the border means a net saving of more than 4,000 tonnes of plastic and other materials each year.”
In the first year of Scotland’s plastic bag charge, usage of carry-out bags has been reduced by 80%. We think this is a great example that what we want to achieve is possible, and we will continue to fight to bring this type of waste reduction to New Orleans!
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-34575364
We love seeing Louisiana in the news for things like this! Way to go, Tiger fans, for recycling over 86,000 pounds of trash!
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2016/01/lsu_tigers_fans_recycled_more.html
We had a successful launch party on January 21 for the Louisiana Reusable Bag Alliance! Special thanks to LifeCity for allowing us to sponsor it! Local business owners and organization directors are welcome to join the alliance. If you’re interested in joining, email info@nowastenola.org.
“We now have the best, most comprehensive assessment of trash and plastic waste on some of our most iconic marine wildlife,” said Nicholas Mallos, Director of the Trash Free Seas Program at Ocean Conservancy. “With this knowledge comes the responsibility to seek the most effective solutions to stem the tide of plastics into our ocean.”
According to a recent study by Ocean Conservancy and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, plastic bags are the second most harmful piece of waste in oceans, behind fishing gear. This study shows the impact of plastics in the ocean, and the importance of eliminating it. Join us in working to eliminate plastic waste in our city and from our waterways!
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/who-we-are/newsroom/2016/entangled-eaten.html