U.S. military commissaries will begin the effort to phase out single-use bags by focusing on locations where state or local bans are already in force.
Kelly Agee reports for Stars and Stripes.
In short:
- The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) plans to eliminate single-use plastic bags worldwide, starting with two commissaries in Guam on March 15.
- This move aligns with existing local and state bans, such as those in Hawaii and California, and aims to comply with environmental laws.
- DeCA emphasizes a gradual transition, focusing on patron needs and logistical challenges, alongside a commitment to environmental conservation efforts.
Key quote:
"We plan to implement a phased approach to eliminate single-use bags that takes into account our patrons’ needs and logistical limitations."
— Keith Desbois, Defense Commissary Agency spokesman
Why this matters:
The U.S. military's effort to comply with and support measures to reduce single-use plastics sets an example of how institutions can lead in the global push for sustainability. Recent polls indicate broad public support for single-use plastic bans, although efforts at the local and state level are often out-gunned by well-financed opposition.
