Sunday, September 04, 2011

Good News: California Bans Styrofoam, Small Businesses Rejoice!*

*If you call rejoicing being really, really pissed off.

As if California hasn't done enough to alienate businesses -- withholding water from farmers, paying government bureaucrats outrageous salaries, enacting a thicket of regulations (said to cost half-a-trillion dollars in 2009), and levying punishing taxes -- its latest brilliant law ought to really help kick-start the economy.

The dangerous, toxic substance known as styrofoam will finally be completely banned in California.

Democratic state Sen. Alan Lowenthal's bill to put a stop to Styrofoam use in grocery stores, restaurants, and food vendors is set to pass in the Senate. It would be the first state-wide ban of Styrofoam in the country...

Many have come to the aid of the ubiquitous containers: restaurant owners say the biodegradable alternatives are more expensive and less effective, while manufacturers like Dart claim they'll have to close two production plants that can't produce anything but Styrofoam.

...environmentalists are pleased to see a ban on the non-compost-able, non-biodegradable, chemical-laden receptacles... It would be interesting to see how this bill affects the rest of the nation, as California is commonly ahead of the curve on environmental law.

And it's working out so well for them, eh?

So, just to be clear: California's government-subsidized scientists have apparently determined that styrofoam is just as dangerous to humans as carbon dioxide.

We may want to count this as reason #18,306 that this bluest of blue states is bankrupt, hemorrhaging businesses and about to tell its pensioners (politely) that they're screwed. Yes, let's all emulate California, shall we?


Completely Unrelated Update: California Employment Level Sinks to Record Low


1 comment:

  1. Bones5:37 PM

    This was done before and as it turned out, the cardboard containers used in fast food were worse. Used more energy, water, cost more to ship due the weight and took up more room in land fills.

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