Making Sacrifices!

The L.A. Times posted an article about how California has proposed to vote to ban styrofoam products by January 2014.

Polystyrene, or by popular nomenclature styrofoam, accounts for 15% of water pollution. Not to mention it takes forever to biodegrade in a landfill, that is if it actually makes it that far. Styrofoam is made from oil (non-renwable resource), which involves the pollution-filled processes drilling, processing, and shipping, and recycling this product just accounts for more pollution. So would a law banning these types of products be the answer? I believe that on an environmental level, we have dug a hole so deep that it will take some sacrifices in order to get out.

First thing that comes to mind is do we really need styrofoam? There are alternatives we could use. Some argue it's unconstitutional to just take something like this away from people, or think about all the jobs lost in the styrofoam industry. So if we didn't getting rid of them completely what could we do? Then I  thought, why not tax these products to make money to clean up the mess they leave behind. The businesses using them could also start charging people (like at restaurants) for using these products. I think this will sway people from wanting to use styrofoam, and persuade some to make other choices, while at the same time not removing them completely from society. Don't you think it is time to start paying the price of pollution? Some stores already charge for plastic bags, and some states charge a deposit on plastic bottles, and other items.

See the theory I have is that once it is in the trash people don't think about it (out of sight out of mind). I know if I had to pay even a dollar for a styrofoam container at a restaurant, I would either eat my food or leave it. What do you think? What other sacrifices should we make, or can we make? Will laws like this work, and if they do does it mean more are coming?



Link to article - L.A. Times Article