Azul Statement Celebrating the Passage and Signing of Historic Bill to Curb California’s Plastic Pollution
For Immediate Release
Friday, July 1, 2022
Contacts:
Betsy López-Wagner 708-717-9408
Lucila Garcia 323-646-2150
López-Wagner Strategies
media@azul.org (Español/English)
Azul Statement Celebrating the Passage and Signing of Historic Bill to Curb California’s Plastic Pollution
SB54, authored by Sen. Ben Allen, has been signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom
Lisbon, Portugal – The following is a statement from Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder and Executive Director of Azul, on the passing of SB54 and the Governor’s signing of the bill requiring all single-use plastic packaging by recyclable or compostable by 2032, in addition to ensuring $5 billion over 10 years for California communities impacted by plastic pollution:
“From California to the UN Ocean Conference in Portugal, it is exciting to see a new focus on environmental justice and equity in ocean conservation. Based on our report “Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution” published in 2021 by the United Nations Environmental Programme, we understand that plastic pollution has a disproportionate effort on already vulnerable populations around the world, so we are heartened by the success of California’s SB54 — with the leadership of Senator Ben Allen, Asm. Luz Rivas, and their legislative staff— which puts our state at the forefront of efforts to curb plastic pollution. While the work is just starting in order to achieve a global plastic treaty, California puts forth an excellent precedent to inspire the world in this effort.”
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Azul was founded in 2011 to bring Latinxs perspectives and participation to ocean conservation. Azul has long advocated for environmental justice and equity in the state of California, across the nation and at international levels. 