BY JOE GRANVILLE
Candidate for
Los Alamos County Council

 Hello Neighbors, I am writing to recognize the 10-year anniversary of our county’s attempt to eliminate plastic bags here in Los Alamos. Each year 36,400 pounds of plastic bags are distributed to retail, restaurant and grocery customers. That is the equivalent weight of about ten Toyota Camrys. Most of them used for minutes, then discarded to persist in the environment for centuries. The environmental damages from plastic bags are well known. But there are additional hazards to water and sewer infrastructure.

Plastic bags are lightweight and windborne making them highly mobile. This becomes an issue when they collect in storm drain inlets, culverts and drainage channels, restricting flow and causing backups. When plastic bags enter the sewer system they can wrap around pump impellers at lift stations, causing pump failures and costly repairs. Removal has to be done manually, a significant labor and cost burden.

We can learn from the successful efforts of other communities that have reduced the number of plastic bags distributed to customers. Locally, Natural Grocers and the Los Alamos Cooperative Market offer alternatives to plastic bags: cardboard boxes, paper bags and nice reusable bags for sale. Don’t want to pay for a reusable bag? Reusable bags can be found at no cost, from vendors at our favorite local events: Earth Day, Chamber fest, Science Fest, Art Council events etc. The only catch with reusable bags is remembering to actually bring the bags from the car into the store.

So, in recognition of 10 years of trying to eliminate plastic bags, I propose today that we begin doing it. This is a solvable problem. Set a good example and help reduce the number of plastic bags flying around our beautiful town. Sport a self-satisfied grin knowing you’re making your community a better place.