City council in Eugene, Oregon, moves to draft ordinance banning single-use plastic bags, gives retailers option of charging for paper bags; Northwest Grocery Assn. says it will support a ban if stores can provide incentives
Lorena Madrigal
LOS ANGELES
,
February 28, 2012
(Industry Intelligence)
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The city council in Eugene, Oregon, has unanimously approved moving forward with an ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags at all retailers in the city, reported The Register-Guard on Feb. 28.
The ordinance, which will be drafted by city staff, is to be completed for the council’s consideration before its summer break in late July.
One modification made to the original proposal by City Councilor Alan Zelenka was to lift a requirement that stores charge US$0.05 for each paper bag they hand out. Instead, stores can decide if they want to impose a fee.
The decision to move ahead with the ban was made by the council at its Feb. 27 meeting, The Register-Guard reported.
At the meeting, Environment Oregon presented a list of 65 local businesses that are in favor of the ban, as well as a memo showing support from the Northwest Grocery Association.
The association said it would support a ban if it allows stores to provide incentives for shoppers to bring their own bags, such as by charging a fee for paper bags, according to the memo, which was written by association President Joe Gilliam.
Environment Oregon and various groups are urging Eugene and other Oregon cities to ban plastic bags after a statewide effort failed to pass in the Legislature last year.
The primary source of this article is The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, on Feb. 28, 2012.
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