Nod to plastic bag ban legislation a huge win for Tacoma, says Commission chair

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): The Sustainable Tacoma Commission has welcomed the passage of plastic bag ban ordinance by the Tacoma City Council last Tuesday. Chrissy Cooley, chair of the Commission, termed the passage of the bill as a huge win for Tacoma’s environment, its citizens and businesses.

Cooley noted that the passage of the bill is considered as a big step forward in implementing Tacoma’s ambitious sustainability plans. She urged the Council to act on the comprehensive Environmental Action Plan, which outlines nearly 70 ambitious projects, selected on the basis of comments received from thousands of residents. The above plan includes proposals for reducing energy costs in city buildings, reducing traffic and lowering the costs of waste disposal. The bag ban ordinance is a significant legislative action since it addresses a large section of society. During the one year period before which the ordinance finally comes into effect, the City office is planning to arrange bag giveaways and educational campaigns with public participation. The City will reach out to low-income communities to offer reusable bags and other help, Cooley added.

According to the Commission, single-use plastic bags make up only 0.2% of Tacoma’s waste stream. Also, only 6% of plastic bags are recycled across the country.

The nine-member Tacoma City Council had approved Tuesday the ordinance banning use of plastic grocery bags. The ordinance was passed in an 8-1 vote with Councilman Joe Lonergan voting against the bill. It must be noted that the Council had heard the first reading of the “Bring Your Own Bag” (BYOB) ordinance during the Council meeting on June 28, 2016.

The ordinance prohibits the use of plastic bags with thickness less than 2.25 millimeters. However, traveling shows and events at the Tacoma Dome and Convention Center will be exempted from the ban. Food banks and other food assistance programs are also exempt from the ban. The bag restrictions would apply to retail stores within Tacoma, but not to non-profitable charitable organizations. Retail establishments are allowed to provide customers with recycled paper carryout bag or reusable carryout bag by charging a reasonable pass-through charge of not less than five cents.

The Director of the Environmental Services Department is entitled to exempt a retail establishment from the requirements of the ban for up to a one-year period upon proving that the conditions in the bill would cause undue hardship, especially in cases where there are no reasonable alternatives to single-use plastic carryout bag or a pass-through charge cannot be collected or if the requirements are found to deprive a person of a legally protected right. The Director is authorized to inspect the premises of any retail establishment to ensure compliance. Ant retail establishment found violating the provisions shall be guilty of civil violation and will be penalized. A penalty of $250 will be levied for each day of violation. Also, civil penalties will continue to accrue until the retail establishment comes into compliance.

Meantime, the Northwest Grocery Association extended full support to the ban. Environmentalists and some retailers have also welcomed the BYOB ordinance.