1. Reduce harm to marine life 

Proponents of the ordinance presented slides of marine life suffering from plastic ingestion or entanglement from littered bags, asserting that over one million marine mammals and seabirds die each year from this problem and that the “damage is incalculable.”

“I volunteer at beach clean-ups about twice a quarter, but it’s not enough,” said Jennifer Song, a Cal Poly junior. “I think the ban can really make the difference we need.”

Also of concern, the “Great Garbage Patch” in the north Pacific Ocean is a floating body of tiny plastic pieces of litter swirling in a circular motion. The discarded plastic comes from land and ships. The toxins in these long-lasting particles negatively affect the aquatic food chain and ocean water.

The Save the Plastic Bag Coalition argues that the “Great Garbage Patch” is a myth and that proponents of the ban have misled the public. “Anti-plastic bag activists show the same five photographs over and over again in support of their claim that plastic bags kill huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds,” their website reads. “An unsuspecting public assumes they are examples of thousands or millions of similar incidents.”

2. Improve waste management

According to Bill Worrell, a critic of the ban, county residents use an estimated 130 million plastic bags per year. “They clutter our beaches, streams and clog landfills,” said San Luis Obispo councilman John Ashbaugh.

Litter management has only improved about 1% since last year, Ashbaugh estimates; the ordinance is “a simple change to make” for a big difference.

3. Paper bags are recyclable

Too many people believe plastic bags can be recycled through recycling bins, according to councilman John Ashbaugh. In actuality, they must be physically brought back to the grocery store. Recycling costs money, and the ordinance will ideally manage waste and recyclables more efficiently.

On the other hand, paper bags are recyclable and compost-friendly. Many opponents of the ordinance argue that banning plastic bags will cause a newly heavy demand for paper bags and thus a waste of valuable resources. The county’s waste management addressed this issue with the requirement to charge at least 10 cents for each paper bag, said Ashbaugh, encouraging the initiative to come prepared with bags.

4. Potentially positive impact on economy

“From a business standpoint, it’s a good thing because it can generate more sales,” said Brandon Simpkins, associate at Rite Aid. But it’s not all good and fun for retailers—they’re already getting angry customers, according to Simpkins. “They’re not too happy about [the ban],” he said. “And it’s not even [in effect] yet.”

1. Intrusion of individual choice

“… I don’t think somebody should be penalized for not [bringing their own bags]. I think you should be rewarded for doing it,” said Brittany Greco, a merchandiser from Orcutt. Adds Liz Thomas, a merchandiser from Santa Maria, “For me, it’s like they’re forcing you to watch what they want on TV. I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.”

The Save the Plastic Bag Coalition believes the ordinance violates the U.S. Constitution and further describes its many legal objections on their website.

2. Loss of convenience

“I try to do my part and bring reusable bags when I go grocery shopping,” said Stephen Roongsathapaul, a Cal Poly junior. “But it’s easy to forget. Now I won’t have a choice but to buy paper bags when I do forget.”

Many people also use plastic bags to line their trashcans. “I’m not looking forward to having to buy trash bags,” said Roongsathapaul. “I’m used to having a lot of plastic bags in stock to use for trash. I guess I’ll just have to get used to it.”

Others say they just don’t see the point in bringing your own bags. “I don’t like carrying grocery bags to the grocery store; I only like carrying them out,” said Liz Thomas, a merchandiser from Santa Maria.

3. Potential harm of reusable bags

Bill Worrell, a critic of the ban, claimed at the hearing that cloth bags harbor bacteria and molds from leaking foods if they aren’t properly washed after each use. According to councilman John Ashbaugh, however, the presented studies were funded by the chemical industry.

4. Consumer cost to buy paper bags

“I can’t afford my water bill; I don’t want to be charged for no frikkin’ bag,” said Liz Thomas, a merchandiser from Santa Maria. “It’s not about the environment to me; sorry, it’s about money.”

Customers aren’t only getting worked up over paper bag charges; many citizens have expressed via online comment boards their annoyance towards grocers and reusable bag manufacturers supporting the ban simply because of the huge profit it would bring. According to the comment boards, they are masking their motives with environmentalism, hence the term “tyranny wrapped in environmentalism,” coined by opponents at the ordinance hearing.