Topic Proposal Major Speech #2

Problem
An estimated 1 million birds and 100,000 marine animals die every year when they try to eat plastic bags or are trapped by them. (WDC) Plastic bags pile up in landfills, block storm drains, and are very hard to recycle. According to an NBC article, One trillion plastic bags are used every year, 90% of them are thrown away after only one use, and they take 500 years to degrade.


Solution
Banning plastic bags and introducing reusable cloth bags will eliminate plastic bags ending up in landfills or in oceans where they hurt wildlife.17 states in the U.S. and many countries around the world such as Italy, Brazil, China, Bangladesh, and France.  Of course, this is a huge problem that cannot be solved easily. I propose that Iowa city ban plastic bags. This can be done if the Iowa city legislature passes a resolution banning plastic bags. To instigate this, people could sign petitions or call local politicians. A referendum may be called, or a resolution or initiative could be passed.



http://www.wdcs.org/wdcskids/en/story_details.php?select=879

https://www.wired.com/2016/06/banning-plastic-bags-great-world-right-not-fast/

http://www.bigfatbags.co.uk/bans-taxes-charges-plastic-bags/

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14901/1/The-Effects-of-Plastic-Bags-on-Environment.html

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/local/no-plastic-iowa-city-researching-possible-ban-on-plastic-shopping-bags-20160629

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ban-bag-why-plastic-bag-taxes-bans-don-t-always-n580926

http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/plastic-bag-legislation.aspx

http://plasticbaglaws.org/legislation/state-laws/california-2/

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ban-bag-why-plastic-bag-taxes-bans-don-t-always-n580926