Anchorage City Implements Stringent Ban on Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A strict ban on plastic bags has come into effect Sunday in Anchorage City in the U.S. state of Alaska. The ordinance prohibits distribution of disposable plastic shopping bags to purchasers. Further, it requires the retail seller to charge a fee from customers for providing alternative bags that are not reusable.

The guideline issued by the Municipality of Anchorage encourages shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Shoppers who do not do so, will be provided with alternative bags such as paper bags, which will be charged a minimum of $0.10 and up to $0.50 per bag. The charges for these bags must be specified separately on the bill.

The ban exempts certain plastic bags such as those used by customers inside stores to contain products including bulk foods, fruits, nuts, vegetables, bakery goods, etc. Plastic bags used to carry frozen foods, meat and fish and those used to contain or wrap flowers or potted plants are also exempted from the ban. Also, bags provided by pharmacies to package prescription drugs and bags to contain newspaper, laundry and dry cleaning are permitted.

The first-time violators of the ban will receive a warning. The second offense will result in a fine of $250, with third and subsequent offenses leading to penalty of $500.

The ordinance banning plastic bags was passed by Anchorage Assembly in August last year through a 9-2 vote and was originally scheduled to take effect in March this year. However, the Assembly passed an amendment to the ordinance, pushing the effective date to September 15, 2019, following pleas by retailers for additional time to get rid of their plastic bag inventory.