Plastic Bag Banter

Dallas City Council gets ready to vote on plastic bag ban

Dallas could become the next Texas city to regulate single-use plastic bags. On Wednesday, March 26, the City Council will vote on an ordinance that would ban single-use carryout bags at city facilities and impose a fee on such bags at businesses.

A Dallas plastic bag ban has been debated since 2008, but council member Dwaine Caraway gave the issue a boost in June 2013 at a meeting of the city's Quality of Life Committee. Caraway's actions have resulted in a fresh ordinance that comes at no cost to the city.

Customer fees for plastic bags will range from 10 cents per bag to $1 per transaction, and business will be allowed to pocket up to 50 percent of the proceeds.

In addition to imposing a fee for customers opting to use plastic bags, the ordinance establishes requirements for reusable bags and makes businesses explain the program via signage. Customer fees for bags will range from 10 cents per bag to $1 per transaction, and business will be allowed to pocket up to 50 percent of the proceeds; the other 50 percent will go to the city.

"The improper disposal of single-use carryout bags has a negative impact on the environment by contributing to unsightly ugliness on the streets, sidewalks, trees, bushes, and vacant lots that is detrimental to the quality of life of residents, the property values of homeowners, and the tourism industry," the ordinance reads. "Single-use carryout bags have significant environmental impacts each year, requiring hundreds of volunteer hours to remove single-use carryout bags from trees, lots, bushes, and roadways."

Of course, not everyone is happy with the proposed parameters of the so-called bag ban. In addition to opposition from the plastic industry and many grocery store chains, the ordinance isn't entirely pleasing to environmentalists.

Zac Trahan with the Texas Campaign for the Environment worries the financial incentive could actually cause stores to push more bags. "Retailers should be encouraged and incentivized to stop distributing single-use bags," he says. "That's the whole point."

To offset administrative costs associated with the new bag policy, Trahan suggests stores keep only 10 percent of the profits. He also wants all businesses to have a bag-reduction goal measured by monthly reports. "If a particular retailer does not meet the goal, then it will not be allowed to keep using disposable bags and fees," Trahan says.

In the seven Texas cities that already have a bag-ban ordinance, customers are responsible for purchasing reusable bags or paying to use plastic ones. Brownsville's 2011 ordinance has brought in $1.4 million in revenue through a $1 flat fee for plastic bags.

Dwaine Caraway is a big fan of reusable bags.

Photo by Claire St. Amant

Dwaine Caraway is a big fan of reusable bags.

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Heat Wave News

Dallas pet owners should take these steps with oncoming heat wave

SPCA

Keep your pets hydrated. Consider putting out a kiddie pool.

Dallas weather is about to take a serious turn, and the SPCA has valuable advice on what steps pet owners should take. It's easy to forget that animals get hit hard by the heat, and especially in Texas: A report by Veterinarians.org found that Texas was No. 1 on the list of states with heat-related pet deaths. Based on data they compiled from 2018-2022, Texa had 40 reported heat-related pet deaths — more than six times the national five-year average.

In a statement, SPCA of Texas Interim Chief Veterinarian Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, DACAW reminds pet owners that their pets have very few ways to cool themselves down.

“As a veterinarian, I’ve seen far too many cases of dogs and cats suffering from heatstroke, often brought into the emergency room when it’s already too late," Tynes says. "Our pets have very limited ways to cool themselves down. They can sweat a small amount through their paw pads, but their main way to release excess heat is by panting. Panting helps pets cool off through the evaporation of moisture, but it only provides limited relief, especially during extreme temperatures."

Tynes says that, when the body can’t shed heat fast enough, serious internal damage begins to occur.

"The proteins and chemicals that keep the body functioning start to break down," she says. "I’ve seen heat affect the kidneys and brain—organs and processes that are incredibly sensitive to high temperatures."

Breed, overall health and environment all can influence how at-risk a pet is, but one thing is always true: prevention is critical. Please don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.

Tynes advises pet owners to keep pets in cool, shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks or outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Here are some proactive measures to keep pets safe and comfortable during these sweltering days:

Keep your pets hydrated
Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and refill them regularly. If your pets must be outside during the day, make sure there are plenty of shady spaces throughout the day and several shaded, nontippable water bowls filled with ice water. Do not use metal bowls outside.

If possible, a small wading pool filled with cold ice water and placed in a shaded area outside is preferred. This not only allows pets to drink but also to cool off in the water when overheating.

Schedule exercise with your pets wisely on warm days
Give your pet plenty of water before and after walks or playtime. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late evenings (after 5 p.m.)—when temperatures are lower—are ideal for walks or playtime.

Hot pavement can burn paw pads, so opt for walking on grassy areas. Consider using paw wax or booties to shield sensitive paws from hot pavement, rocks or sand that can cause burns and blisters. If you cannot hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five to 10 seconds, the pavement is too hot for your pet.

Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
If your pet spends any time outside, be sure it has plenty of shade so he or she can get out of the sun. This is where the ground or grass will be coolest—under a tree, an umbrella, or a simple, open structure. Do not tie or restrain the pet so that it cannot move between shady spots as needed.

If it is really hot and humid, bring your pet indoors and into air-conditioned areas.

Never leave your pet in a locked car
No matter what, even if you think you will be away from the car for just a few minutes, do not leave your pet unattended in a parked car. The car can absorb enough energy within minutes to become a death mobile. A cracked window or two is not enough to prevent heatstroke when it’s hot, or even warm. It is also not enough to park in the shade on a hot day and leave all the windows and even sunroof open.

While weather in the 70s may seem harmless, a Stanford study showed that in just an hour, a car’s temperature rose to 116 degrees internally when left out in 72-degree heat. It is not recommended to leave the air conditioner running in a car for your pet. Oftentimes the air conditioner malfunctions, leading to overheating inside the vehicle.

Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect pets when they are exposed to high temperatures and excessive heat. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. It can occur in as little as 10-15 minutes, especially in hot and humid environments or when an animal is left in a parked car.

Symptoms of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse. It is crucial to act quickly if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. Move them to a cool and shaded area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water or damp towels to gradually lower their body temperature.

Then take the pet directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Heat stroke can be fatal and can come on very quickly, so it’s best not to take any chances.

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