California is taking a stand for mother nature while fighting against plastic. The plastic waste in America is outrageous. About 2.5 million plastic bottles are used by Americans every hour. Many people try to argue that plastic has little harm because of its ability to be reused and recycled. That would be true only if Americans actually recycled.

Only 1% to 3% of all plastics used are recycled. The state of California recognizes this and wants to do everything they can to fight against plastic waste. Environmental advocates in the state have pushed for a ban on single-use plastic bags. They are also trying to change other things in the plastic world, targeting straws and bottle caps and calling on the state to increase the amount of recycled material in plastic water and soda bottles, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The advocates are very serious about this movement. They have drafted a bill to present to the state assembly. The bill hoped to prohibit retailers from selling bottled beverages with a cap not attached to the container, preventing the caps ending up the in trash. Unfortunately, the bill did not get enough support and will not stand for a vote.

The association of environmental advocates spent nearly $400,000 last year to lobby bills and other legislative matters, including the bill to ban disposable bottle caps. The most pushback they received on the bill was from companies like soda producers that rely on plastic bottles for the sale of their products.

The California Plastics Recyclers Coalition continues to fight for the reduction in plastic usage. They have decided to take plastic bottles and turn them into new products. They stated that this will help create and support “green” jobs throughout the state. It should also help California reach its goal of decreasing its greenhouse gas emissions down to 40% of previous levels.

Although the plastic bottle cap ban bill was shot down, the environmentalists are still doing all that they can to protect mother nature in their community. Hopefully, others will soon follow suit.