Happy Bag Ban, Santa Barbara!
City of Santa Barbara Poster
Approximately 47 million single use plastic bags are used in Santa Barbara annually. Many of these bags end up polluting our waterways, creeks, rivers and ocean. Countless animals die each year from entanglement and ingestion of plastic litter. Although manufactured to be disposable, these ubiquitous bags take hundreds of years to break down. Even when we place plastic in our recycling bins, most of it isn’t recycled. Less than 5% of the 20 billion plastic bags used in California are recycled.
Although there has been much opposition by the plastics industry, 105 cities or counties in California have been affected by the 76 plastic bag ban ordinances that have been passed. On May 14th, the Santa Barbara ban will go into affect for large supermarkets and stores with a pharmacy. On November 14th, smaller grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies, convenience food stores and food marts will have to comply with the new ordinance.
What does this mean for you? BYOB! Bring your own bag. Keep them in your car and use them whenever you shop because plastic disposable shopping bags will be banned and paper bags will cost 10 cents each. If you don’t already own them, purchase some reusable bags. Art From Scrap is now selling sturdy 100% cotton bags at our Retail Reuse Store for only $10.00 each.
As an environmental education organization, we’re really exited about the bag ban. For years we have educated students in our Flows To The Ocean (FTO) classes about the damaging effects that marine debris has on marine animals and the ocean environment. Thousands of students have conducted FTO projects to educate their school and the public about the perils of marine debris. Explore Ecology also conducts field trips at the Watershed Resource Center, sponsors Monthly Beach Clean Ups and teaches the public about the benefits of durable products in our waste reduction lessons. We feel proud to have helped create an educated public that convinced the city council to finally pass a bag ban after many years of debate.
City of Santa Barbara Poster
Congratulations, Santa Barbara for choosing reuse over trash!
Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone. In my spare time, I like to sleep, eat, hike, and explore nature. Did I say eat and sleep?
Emma Serr is an artist and a student studying Studio Art at SBCC. Emma has a background in art and customer service, having worked as a camp counselor at sewing camp and assistant for sewing events and classes, and display manager and cashier in previous positions, and was recently a nanny to several young children. Emma first found us as a customer who loved what Art From Scrap represents!
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent her last four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife. Veronica is very passionate about conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. Veronica has spent many summers working in environmental education at various zoos and museums and loves introducing kids to the plants and animals that coexist with us. In her free time, she likes to sit at the beach and read, take dance classes, roller skate, and walk around fancy neighborhoods to look at the houses.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them. Lu is thrilled to be teaching budding scientists about the Earth and why it’s important for us to protect and preserve the environment. 
Lydia
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Ian Docktor
MELISSA BROOKS
Lindsay Johnson