The U.S. state of Michigan has introduced a bill sponsored by the plastic industry that would prohibit cities and counties from enacting legislation to reduce single-use bag litter.

SB 853, sponsored by the plastic industry would prohibit local/municipal bag legislation and any attempt to reduce other plastic litter, like cups, containers, and foam.

TAKE ACTION: Call Michigan Governor Rick Synder at 517-373-3400 or 517-335-7858 and tell him to veto SB 853, or use the form letter below. 

Outside of Michigan? Learn how to start a plastic bag ban in your town. 

“I am a Michigan  resident and I urge you to VETO SB 853. I’m tired of plastic litter, and SB 853 is a dangerous bill that takes away our freedom!

SB 853 pretends to be in the people’s best interest, but the bill is an industry sponsored effort to prevent cities and counties from enacting ANY type of legislation to reduce single-use bag litter.

SB 853 seems well intentioned, but it’s an industry tactic, and this legislation actually PROHIBITS local/municipal bag legislation among other things.

This bill also prohibits any attempt to reduce other plastic litter, like cups, containers, and foam.

It’s a truly dangerous bill and sets an awful precedent by PREVENTING CITIES and COUNTIES FROM GOVERNING THEMSELVES.

Please VETO SB 853 so that Michigan is not crippled by the plastic bag industry.”

On Nov. 20, reader Sachchidanand Swami sent Plastic Pollution Coalition this photo of deer eating plastic garbage on the campus of an educational institute in Chennai, India. Only three days later, one deer was found dead.

“Its stomach was found full of plastic carry-bags and trash,” said Swami. “A few days after, another dear was found dead due to same.”

Forest officials said the plastic choked the animals to death.

The death of two deer indicates a larger problem in the area. Faculty, students, and even visitors are illegally dumping garbage in the woods on campus. In 2004, volunteers started a zero waste initiative called OWZONE to collect and separate trash, but there is little to penalize violators and the dumping has continued.

Monkeys in the area know not to eat the plastic bags, but deer do not, a volunteer from OWZONE told the Times of India.

Globally over 260 species of animals, including mammals, have been reported to ingest or become entangled in plastic debris. This often results in impaired movement and feeding, reduced reproductive output, lacerations, ulcers, and death.

Swami hopes the photo of the deer will create awareness and help others reduce their waste in India and around the world.

Take the pledge to refuse single-use plastic.

You must watch this new TEDx Talk by Melati and Isabel Wijsen of Bali, sisters who have worked tirelessly to rid their island home of single-use plastic bags. They are the future, and the future is plastic free!