Seattle Plastic Bag Ban Vote Likely

SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle officials are expected to vote to ban plastic bags.

The vote by the city council is expected at a meeting Monday. The ordinance would banish single-use, carryout bags in groceries and other retail stores.

Paper bags would cost a nickel — to encourage the use of reusable bags.

The seattlepi.com reports seven of nine council members are sponsoring the bill.

The city's residents use 292 million plastic bags a year. The ban is expected to reduce pollution, free up landfill space and improve the environment.

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

Comments

[txgrandpa6]

08:02 AM on 12/20/2011

I have been using cloth, reusable, bags when shopping for years. I have no problem with the local government outlawing plastic, single use bags in retail stores. When I use the paper bags from the store on the occasions I forget my cloth bags I shred the bags for use in my chicken coops as bedding for my birds. My local United Supermarket gives us a $.05 credit for each cloth bag I use when shopping with them, This is why I use this market. It is a double win for me, I save money and I also can adhere to my philosophy of not damaging the environment.

[Vera Gottlieb]

04:22 AM on 12/20/2011

Have been using cloth shopping bags already for years! There used to be a supermarket chain in Los Angeles - instead of making you pay for each bag that the store gave you, it would actually TAKE OFF 2 cents for each bag that the customer supplied. This would be another great way to encourage recycling.

[younmeunderthesea]

07:51 PM on 12/19/2011

This will require people to purchase plastic garbage bags to dispose of their non-recyclable trash. Not everyone has the opportunity to compost (condo complexes/apartment complexes, etc.) I believe it's a step in the right direction, but I strongly believe we need an alternative than giving more money to the plastics industry through buying plastic garbage bags.

Does anyone know the breakdown of how much the plastics industry makes from producing plastic grocery bags vs. plastic garbage bags?

[camanokat]

07:06 PM on 12/19/2011

I don't think they should be banned...just charge for them. I guarantee people will be bringing their own re-usable bags to the stores.

[joanimal]

11:02 PM on 12/19/2011

Sadly, I don't think they will - most people are lazy and would rather pay. I hope they ban them.

[camanokat]

10:51 PM on 12/20/2011

The city council did ban them! No biggie for me...I don't live within city limits AND I take my re-usable bags everywhere.

[Sofia Champion]

07:00 PM on 12/19/2011

Good. I hate plastic bags. They're hideous, they make a mess, they make my hands sweat, they're inefficient and they tear. Bring your own bag and you avoid a whole world of problems.

[C Karen Stopford]

06:58 PM on 12/19/2011

Most major supermarkets have their own branded reusable bags. The expense in terms of convenience is small compared to the ecological savings. Perhaps this sort of thing shouldn't really be put up for a referendum.

[Gas-Bag]

06:50 PM on 12/19/2011

They sell a really strong reusable bag that is made from recycled elements, that can be purchased at our grocery stores here in Washington State. They are so good that I have even bought some for other uses, they seem to never wear out. Now I neither use plastic or paper bags for groceries. The bags cost $1.00 each so if you will be charged $.05 cents for a paper bag and the plastic bags are no longer available, they soon pay for themselves.

[Sunnyblonde]

06:30 PM on 12/19/2011

If these bags are banned, what are you going to dispose your garbage in? The sanitation people don't want loose garbage in the cans.

[camanokat]

07:02 PM on 12/19/2011

They aren't planning on banning all plastic bags, just the bags used in grocery stores, WallMart etc. to hold the shoppers merchandise.

[Joel Redman]

06:28 PM on 12/19/2011

But whatever will I do with my cat litter?

[mosuro]

04:38 PM on 12/19/2011

about 90% if not more of my stuff is recycled

[Theo White]

05:26 PM on 12/19/2011

I fill 2 trash can per year. All glass, paper cardboard, metal and plastic goes to the recycle center and I get mini windfalls from my recycling redemptions.

[mosuro]

07:09 PM on 12/19/2011

That's great, we have a great recycling program in my area & that's been going on for the last 10+ yrs. I just wish more people would do it. Plus when I go to the store I do bring a few of my own sturdy reusable bags that were given to me by a few stores. You can also collect your aluminum cans and find a place that will pay per lb, if you need alittle extra money. GOOD LUCK & Have A Great Holiday!

[Kenz300]

04:15 PM on 12/19/2011

The world produces a lot of trash every day.

That trash can now be turned into biofuel, energy (Methane) and raw materials for new products.

It is time that all "dumps" become energy producers and reduce the amount of waste we produce.

[susanbsbi]

02:42 PM on 12/19/2011

Plastic bags need to go. I use Paper bag, but I take them to the store with me and use numerous time, before I need a new one.

[Frank-Landfield]

02:36 PM on 12/19/2011

Good

[dkrypt]

01:49 PM on 12/19/2011

It takes almost four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a polyethylene bag.

Not only do both paper and compostable resin bags use far more fossil fuel in production and manufacturing, but they also use twenty times as much fresh water vs plastic bags.

Additionally, most paper comes from tree pulp, so the impact of paper bag production on forests is enormous. A 2008 article from the National Cooperative Grocers Association states that each year the United States consumes 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million trees.

http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/myth-busting/why-paper-is-no-better-than-plastic

[threnodymarch]

02:05 PM on 12/19/2011

Thanks for posting this - it is definitely one of the biggest misconceptions out there.

[rp2par]

02:11 PM on 12/19/2011

Make hemp legal. Hemp has a myriad of environmentally sound uses. It grows quickly, it nourishes the soil, it can be used as a fuel, paper products, etc., etc., etc.

Don't be afraid of it, smoking it is one of it's minor attributes.

[camanokat]

07:04 PM on 12/19/2011

Industrial hemp will not get you high, although it is possible that it has therapeutic qualities.

[Jenn Helmick]

01:38 PM on 12/19/2011

I think it is a great idea!!!! I am so tired of seeing areas, especially around Wal-Marts, covered in plastic bags!!!! They are along the roads and no one seems to feel they are responsible for picking up their store bags that are discarded by their customers. Go SEATTLE!!!