As managing editor of San Francisco's decision to ban plastic grocery bags is generating headlines in news media around the globe. But the story won't end there. In the next few days, newspapers and TV news crews around the country will be looking at whether their cities should do the same thing.
One place where journalists go for story ideas is Al's Morning Meeting, a Web site updated daily with suggestions from Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute, a training ground for journalists in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Why is that relevant to the plastics industry? Because Al's column today leads with the plastic bag ban story. It's loaded with data, potential story angles and links for more information. You can be sure that a fair number of media outlets around the country will pick up on his story ideas.
So if you're in the bag making or plastics recycling business, don't be surprised if you get a call in the next couple of days from a local reporter looking for a bag ban-related story.
Better yet, why not pick up the phone and make the first move? Make sure the local media knows what's at stake for your company, and your local employees, if a ban comes. Or highlight what you're doing with recycled or degradable plastics, and your efforts to make your company "green" and "sustainable." Reporters are looking for local angles now, and this is an opportunity to make sure they include your point of view.
Comments (1)
I have been reading the reports on banning polybags in San Francisco this week. There are 4 or 5 extremely well informed professionals in USA and Canada who have been working on issues of polybags and environment with us on the global group for the past 2 years. We have between us and also experts from Europe and Asia ( 16 countries ) we have lifecycle analysis, several scientific and factual reports on this subject and could guide industry members in all cities of the US.
You may try exchanging mails with them so that before you respond individually you have a sound knowledge of the subject and how a response to ban polybags proposal can be made by you effectively and acceptable to your society. The citizens and policy makers need to know all the environment and economic consequences honestly.
It has become fashionable to pose as green and caring but one needs to view cradle to grave reports and life cycle analysis to see real costs of change.
The contacts of Tony, Cathy, Judith,Mike and Pete are:
ccirko@cpia.ca ; pete_dinger@americanchemistry.com ; judith_dunbar@plastics.org ; tony.kingsbury@dow.com ; Mike_levy@americanchemistry.com
Best of luck from India.
Vijay Merchant
Chairman Enviroplast Committee PLASTINDIA
Posted by Vijay Merchant | March 30, 2007 6:26 AM
Posted on March 30, 2007 06:26