City of Atlanta to Introduce Plastics Ban at City Buildings

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A new legislation could ban use of certain categories of single-use plastics in City of Atlanta owned buildings.

The legislation to this effect was introduced Monday by District 2 Councilmember Amir Farokhi and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Joyce Sheperd, Matt Westmoreland, Andre Dickens, Andrea Boone, Carla Smith, Antonio Brown, Dustin Hillis, Jennifer Ide, Michael Julian Bond and Marci Collier Overstreet. The proposals will be heard by the Transportation and Finance/Executive Committees on Aug. 14.

The legislation proposes to ban single-use plastic products such as bags, straws and Styrofoam at city-owned buildings including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

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According to Farokhi, city buildings, especially the Airport, are major consumers of single-use plastic products, mainly on account of the large number of retail establishments and restaurants in them. A substantial impact can be made by shifting to paper alternatives and other reusables. The bill represents an important step forward in Atlanta’s fight against plastic pollution, Farokhi added.

A companion resolution asking Atlanta to work with private retailers to replicate the proposed ban at public venues such as grocery stores and stadiums was also introduced. The act by City-owned establishments would set a model for private companies in ending their affinity to plastic products.

It must be noted that the San Francisco International Airport had recently introduced ban on sale of plastic water bottles on its premises.