On August 15th the legislature reconvenes and the following PCL-priority bills are heading to the Appropriations Committee, likely the last stop before being heard on the floor.

AB 1178 (Ma) is a bill designed to prevent local governments from restricting the importation of solid waste into their jurisdiction. Cities and counties would be unable to control the size, location and operation of landfills. AB 1178 incentivizes landfills at a time when California should be developing strategies to reduce, recycle and divert solid waste in California. PCL opposes this bill, which prioritizes special interests at the expense of California’s environment and communities.

SB 568 (Lowenthal) would ban the use of polystyrene food containers. Polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, is hazardous to the environment and human health. It is a major cause of stormdrain blockage and flooding, which is a huge cost to municipalities, and often ends up in waterways where it destroys natural ecosystems. Polystyrene factory workers are exposed to toxic chemicals during production and consumers that eat out of these containers ingest chemicals that are probable carcinogens and neurotoxins. PCL strongly supports this bill which would benefit California’s environment and the health of its citizens.

Please call you legislators urging the importance of voting yes on SB 568 and no on AB 1178.  To find out your legislator click here.  We also need help reaching out to the members on the appropriations committee.