ENSTU 300: Critical Thinking & Communication in Environmental Studies
Perspectives on Single-Use Plastic Bag Policy
Noah Sforza, Environmental Studies Program, California State University
Monterey Bay
Introduction to Stakeholders
The entire planet is effected by plastic
waste. Traces of plastic have been found on
even the most remote islands around the
world (Hunt, 2017). The major policy
stakeholders on the subject of single-use
plastic bags are government (local and state)
and grassroots organizations. These two
stakeholders find their influences from many
different areas such as, public opinion,
funders and their own mission.
Government Perspectives
Local governments’ priority and
perspectives are often rooted in the public’s
beliefs. The local government is formed by
citizens and is therefor more connected to
what the general public wants. As for local
government in Monterey County this is
especially true. When Monterey county was
working towards a plastic bag ban, Carmel-
by-the-Sea City Council was having open
forum meetings with the public (Abraham,
2011). The residents were given the
opportunity to show support of the ban in
front of the Mayor, Sue McCloud, and other
council members. Other local government
officials have made statements supporting
plastic bag bans. Bruce Delgado, Mayor of
Marina, made a comment on ordnances in
the Monterey area, stating that he “…hopes
to bring the ordinance to his city as well”
(Abraham, 2014).
State government is influenced by the local
perspectives and actions. As an example,
California was forced to consider a plastic
bag ban after multiple cities and counties
pasted individual ordinances and laws. In
2014 Governor Brown signed Proposition
67 affirmed SB 270, banning single-use
plastic bags. He not only signed the
legislation, but also supported the motions to Table 1. Stakeholder Perspectives
enact it (Hickman, 2017). At a glance these are the simple and clear
values, contributions and concerns of
Not all state level government is working different stakeholder groups.
towards or in favor of plastic bag bans.
Currently, there are being bans put on bans. Stake- Stake-holder Contri- Stake-holder
Minnesota state Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, is holder Values butions Concerns
one of the politians who pushed to block
plastic bag bans (Rodd, 2018). He defends Local Public Safety Implementing Implementing
that plastic bags have a smaller carbon foot Gov effective effective
print than paper bags. Economics policy policy

Environment Community Health

Grassroots Perspectives Health collaboration
Grassroots organizations often have their
perspectives rooted in public opinion, yet Public Land
they do not always speak for the general Opinion management
and protection
public. Their purpose is to push towards a
goal, usually only showing support for State Public Safety Implementing Implementing
companies and organizations that align with Gov effective effective
their movement. Economics policy policy

Political Land Health

One grassroots organization that supported security management
the plastic bag ban was the Surfrider and protection
Foundation. They publicly endorsed
Proposition 67 affirmed SB 270, which Grass- Healthy Community Protect
banned single use plastic bags in California. roots ecosystems collaboration Environment
Their support was shown through education Environment Political Public
and funding the legislation (Surfrider, 2016). health support interests
Other organizations that supported the ban
were Heal the Bay, Environment California Environment Leadership Health
and Californians Against Waste.
Public
Opinion
Conclusion and Recap of Perspectives
Local governments and grassroots
organizations, though influenced by the
public, often have their own mission and
goals. The influence of the public on these
entities often improves legislation more
quickly. The state government takes much
of its influence from the public, but is also
influenced by the federal government. The
clash between federal and state government
often originates in the challenge of uniting a
broad public opinion.

2
Literature Cited

Abraham, K. (2013, May 16). Peninsula cities

explore a plastic bag ban – and hope the industry
won't sue. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from
http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/lo
cal_news/article_476244bd-2687-57c7-a423-
ad66c1431cba.html

Abraham, K. (2014, July 29). County Board of

Supervisors passes plastic bag ban. Retrieved
March 26, 2018, from
http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/n
ews_blog/county-board-of-supervisors-passes-
plastic-bag-ban/article_d07a482c-16b7-11e4-
bd2e-001a4bcf6878.html

Hunt, E. (2017, May 15). 38 million pieces of

plastic waste found on uninhabited South Pacific
island. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017
/may/15/38-million-pieces-of-plastic-waste-
found-on-uninhabited-south-pacific-island

Rodd, S. (n.d.). State and Local Officials Clash

Over Plastic Bag Bans. Retrieved March 26,
2018, from
http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/stl-
plastic-bag-bans.html

Surfrider. (n.d.). Help Enforce The California

Bag Ban. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from
https://www.surfrider.org/coastal-
blog/entry/help-enforce-the-california-bag-ban

Surfrider. (n.d.). Banned Plastic Bags in

California. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from
https://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/yes-on-67-
california-statewide-bag-ban-vote2