Paraphrasing..

“After a very short working life, these bags retire to landfills where they take 500 or more years to break down, or become litter that clogs storm drains and threatens marine wildlife.”

Paraphrased:
For a plastic bag to break down after being discarded, it could take 500 years or more (Query).



“Blumenfeld said it takes 430,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100 million bags. Compostable bags can be recycled in the city's green garbage bins and will make it more convenient for residents to recycle food scraps, he said.”

Paraphrased:

In addition to being easily recycled, compostable bags would allow consumers to easily discard of their excess food scraps as well (Goodyear).



“The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to ban plastic carryout bags in the city’s supermarkets and stores by July 2010 – but only if the state fails to impose a 25-cent fee on every shopper who requests them.”

Paraphrased:

Los Angeles may be banning plastic bags in the city as well by July 2010; however, if the state implements a fee of 25 cents per bag instead, then the ban will not be enforced. This fee would be charged to the customer requesting the plastic bags (Zahniser).



“Rayton Packaging President Patrick Arnell says his company annually makes 100 million additive-treated bags, some of which go to Costco, WalMart and other supermarkets. The treated bags add a five to 10 percent price premium. Mohanty argues, however, that chemical additives will only help a bag degrade if it is exposed to constant light and oxygen. Buried in a landfill, it may be unable to degrade.”

Paraphrased:

Wal-Mart is a perfect example of a business that could push for the change we need-- while it does pay five to ten percent more for a more biodegradable plastic bag, “…the chemical additives will only help a bag degrade if it is exposed to constant light and oxygen. Buried in a landfill, it may be unable to degrade.” (Zahniser)