Seattle Officials Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Seattle City Council voted Monday to ban single-use plastic bags from groceries and other retail stores, joining a growing trend among cities that embrace green values.

The ordinance, which was approved unanimously following months of discussion and debate, takes effect in July 2012. It includes a provision to charge a nickel fee for the use of paper bags, to encourage people to bring their own bags when they go shopping.

The paper bag fee is not unique. In Washington, D.C., businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge 5 cents for each carryout paper or plastic disposable bag.

The ban is expected to reduce pollution, free up landfill space and improve the environment. Seattle's residents use 292 million plastic bags and 68 million paper bags a year. About 82 percent of paper bags are recycled, while only 13 percent of plastic bags are recycled.

Nearby communities such as Mukilteo, Edmonds, Bellingham and Portland also have banned plastic bags.

Numerous municipalities across the country — including Eugene, Ore., Austin, Texas, and Jackson, Wyo. — are also considering laws to restrict the use of plastic bags.

The Seattle council voted to charge a 20-cent fee on paper and plastic bags in 2008, but the plastics industry spent $1.4 million backing a referendum to overturn it. Voters defeated the fee in 2009.

Councilmember Mike O'Brien, the bill's prime sponsor, said he felt the months of work on this proposal, with lots of input from both businesses and environmental groups, resulted in an ordinance that will work for everyone.

He noted that low-income people who can show eligibility in a food assistance program will not be charged the paper bag fee.

Council President Richard Conlin commended the council and advocates for the positive way the ordinance evolved and the substantive public involvement in the process.

"It's going to really make a difference for our environment," he said.

During a short public comment session at the beginning of the meeting, four people dressed as "bag monsters" in costumes made from plastic bags serenaded the council with a holiday tribute. Only one person spoke out against the ordinance, saying she wondered if the ban would really help the environment and remove plastic already in the Puget Sound.

Even in the Evergreen state, reaction to the ban vote was mixed.

"We were not expecting a unanimous vote, but we knew that seven of nine councilmembers co-sponsored the ordinance," said Katrina Rosen, field director for Environment Washington, a statewide advocacy group, from a celebration at a Seattle restaurant.

Rosen called Seattle one of the largest cities to pass such a ban, but a similar ban in San Jose, Calif., goes into effect Jan. 1. San Jose has 946,000 residents compared with Seattle's 608,000. A plastic bag ban in Los Angeles County, but not the city, went into effect in July.

Hilex Poly Co., the country's largest plastic bag manufacturer, believes the ban pushes consumers toward more resource-intensive alternatives.

"By voting to implement a ban on plastic bags, the city of Seattle misses the opportunity to lead the way toward the meaningful reduction of litter through increased statewide recycling efforts," said Mark Daniels, vice president of sustainability and environmental policy for the company, in a written statement.

The Northwest Grocery Association, which represents QFC, Safeway and Fred Meyer stores in the state, supports the ban, but a group representing independent grocery stores does not.

"Tiny bits of plastics, including plastic bag film, are being found in all water samples taken in Puget Sound," said Heather Trim, Policy Director of People For Puget Sound, in a statement. "Reducing the use of single-use plastics, like bags, will make a difference for the health of wildlife in Puget Sound and out in the Pacific."

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/19/143989024/seattle-officials-ban-single-use-plastic-bags

[Obama 2012 1,714]

typical left-wing bullshit.

Edited December 20, 2011 by DJ Kyo

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This is a job-killing measure.

[SMR 368]

I re-use my plastic grocery bags as trash bags. If I live in Seattle would I now be expected to purchase special purpose garbage bags. That doesn't sound environmentally friendly to me. It's not like I don't need trash bags.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

This is a job-killing measure.

Kills many teenage jobs, that's for sure.

My very first job at 14/15 was bagging groceries... No bags, no baggers needed!

[Misha & Ira 113]

Not to mention the bag making industry...and the people who supply the bag making industry...wonderful measure.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Seattle is full of left wing nutters transplanted from California to work the tech industry. The city is broke and those voters in Seattle are breaking the state...which is in the red atm and sinking fast. My brothers first job was bagging grocery's when he was 14 and he stuck it out in the grocery business for 23 years with the union and managed a few stores in the process. It's another sad day for people needing jobs.

[Darnell 8,478]

Kills many teenage jobs, that's for sure.

My very first job at 14/15 was bagging groceries... No bags, no baggers needed!

The bagging skill died when the plastic bags were in widepread use.

I get miffed each time I go to a grocery store - these teenagers have no skill whatsoever.

----

ya know, there's a lot of re-use going on for these bags, especially for the dog owners that must pick up the poo when out for walkies.

I guess there will be some guerilla underground movement to keep them supplied with used plastic garbage bags... albeit unused from poo.

[kytwell 179]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci9PC8s-r2Q