EvolveShopping Blog

Oakland to Consider Banning Plastic Shopping Bags

On May 22nd the Oakland City Council's Public Works Committee will consider an ordinance (PDF) to ban petroleum-based non-biodegradeable (plastic) shopping bags from stores with $2 million or more in gross annual sales.  On March 27, 2007 San Francisco became the first U.S. city to approve legislation banning plastic shopping bags in grocery stores and pharmacies.

According to the report (PDF) issued in connection with this proposed ordinance Californians use 19 billion plastic shopping bags each year and throw away 600 per second.  If approved by the committee, the ordinance would be reviewed at the Oakland City Council's June 5th meeting.

For more information:

• Oakland Council to Consider Ban on Plastic Bags (Oakland Tribune)
• Committee report and proposed Oakland plastic bag legislation (PDF)
• Oakland City Council's Public Works Committee Agenda for May 22 (see item #8 for plastic bag ordinance)
• Oakland City Council
• S.F. First City to Ban Plastic Shopping Bags (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Sources for Reusable Shopping Bags (EvolveShopping.com)

Apple Releases "A Greener Apple" Environmental Update

On May 2, 2007, Apple Inc. released an update entitled "A Greener Apple."  This update describes Apple's environmental activities and plans in two major categories -- Removing Toxic Chemicals and Recycling Our Products (E-Waste).  For more information:

• A Greener Apple (also in PDF)
• Apple and the Environment (Apple.com)
• Apple and the Environment: Recycling (Apple.com)

San Francisco Opens First Biodiesel Fueling Station

Recently San Francisco opened its first biodiesel fueling station.  The station is located at site at the Olympic station at 2690 Third Street (at 23rd St) and will supply commercially licensed diesel vehicles with "B20," a mix of 20% recycled biomass and 80% traditional diesel fuel. Unlike "B100," or 100% biofuel, most commercially sold diesel engines can run on B20 without any adjustment or adaptation.

According to a press release from Office of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom this is the first viable biodiesel fueling station to open in San Francisco. A station supplying B100 existed for a short time in 2001, but there was no market for 100% biofuel at the time.

In addition, at the official launch for San Francisco’s first commercial B20 biodiesel fueling station, Mayor Newsom announced that 39% of the City’s vehicle fleet has converted to use of a biodiesel blend (ahead of the 25% goal expected by this point) and 100% of Norcal Recycling/Waste Management’s fleet has converted to the use of biodiesel.  Mayor Newsom also announced a new program beginning this Fall that will pick up waste oil from the City’s restaurants and recycle it as biodiesel for the City’s fleet.

For more information:

• Mayor Newsom Launches San Francisco's First Biodiesel Fueling Station (Office of the SF Mayor)
• San Francisco Opens First Commercial B20 Biodiesel Station (CNET News.com; includes link to photo gallery)
• San Francisco Biofuels Cooperative
• National Biodiesel Board
• Biodiesel (U.S. Department of Energy)
• Alternative Fuels and Hybrid Cars (EvolveShopping.com)

Hydrogen Cars Reviewed by The New York Times

In a recent article "On the Road, Hope for a Zero-Pollution Car," The New York Times reviewed six hyrdogen concept vehicles:

• BMW Hydrogen 7
• Ford E-450 Shuttle
• General Motors HydroGen3
• Honda FCX
• Mercedes-Benz F-Cell
• Toyota Prius (version designed to run hydrogen)

To learn more about hybrid cars and alternative fuels (including direct links to car manufacturers and review sites) visit the Cars and Fuels section of EvolveShopping.

CNET News.com Interview with California Assemblymember Lloyd Levine on Lightbulb Legislation

Earlier this week CNET News.com had an interview with California Assembly member Lloyd Levine, who has proposed legislation that would ban the sale in California of incandescent lightbulbs for use in standard household lamps by 2012.  The bill is AB 722 (PDF) and there is additional information on Assemblymember Levine's website.

An increasingly popular alternative to incandescent lightbulbs are compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs).  You can learn more about CFLs in this article from the EnergyStar.gov website.

"Eco Live 2007" Event Takes Place May 5 in San Francisco

Eco Live 2007 will take place on May 5 at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco.  This event is presented by KGO Radio and Sun Microsystems.  This is a free event which will feature information on green and sustainable products and services.  In addition, there is a keynote address by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (paid ticket required).  For more information visit the Eco Live 2007 page on KGO Radio.