Last night the Astoria City Council tabled a proposed resolution that would have shown support for a very broad piece of legislation.
The draft summary of the proposed Oregon law would prohibit the use of "single-use" checkout bags except in certain cases. The assumption at first was this about getting rid of plastic grocery bags but actually it would include paper bags that contain less than 40% recycled material as well. It wouldn't affect restaurants or fast-food joints. It encourages the use of reusable checkout bags as if nobody ever throws those way. One should not assume this is only about grocery stores. The legislation talks about retail establishments. The legislation adds a requirement that the DEQ require retail establishments to provide a report to ensure compliance. Civil penalties would apply to those who don't comply
It doesn't stop there.
It changes some of the provisions for permits issued by DEQ to solid waste facilities and repeals other statues.
It also encourages local governments to actually impose a fee on single use checkout bags by setting a deadline for the imposition of such a fee. Once the legislation goes into effect and imposes it's own 5 cent fee per bag, local governments will not be permitted to impose any further fee. if they already have one it is then grandfathered under the bill.
I missed just how this got on the agenda, or who brought it forward.
I suspect it will come up at other council and commission meetings. I hope others will follow the example of the Astoria Council and wisely table this or vote to show no support.
Paper Bag? The guilt of using up our antural resources.
ReplyDeletePlastic bags or anyting else plastic? Eternal existence and use of depleting oil resources.
The Simple Answer? Biodegradable Plastic Bags?
I say alternate days for plastic/paper.lol
ReplyDeleteai think the plastic bags are recycled the most. I know I store them and re-use and re-use.
I wish the legislature would confine itself to the important questions before it, like the budget, reducing state spending, and encouraging job growth in Oregon. Stores should be free to provide, or not provide, plastic, paper or both. That is free enterprise, not enterprise by government edict. Education is the answer. If the environmentalists want to get rid of plastic bags, educate the public to dispose of them properly. Don't be lazy and force a law upon us.
ReplyDeleteActually Tom, I was incorrect in plastic bags being eternal. They do biodegrade after 10,000 years and at 100 Billion plastic bags being used a year along with 28 Billion Tons of plastic containers and packaging being deposited somewhere, maybe a couple of cents more, for biodegradable plastic bags(Corn Starch), taken away from "Mr./Ms. Free Enterprise's" profit margin might make sense, you think, before we run out of room, in non-productive land, to dump the stuff?
ReplyDeleteAnd don't you think, as well, if we don't address this issue it will find its own importance in the State House and impacting that budget, spending and job growth?
Nothing wrong with "Free Enterprise" but moreso than ever in my opinion, it carries the burden of accountability and responsibilty as well for the Entrepeneur/Business developer's actions and impact on the environment.
Maybe we could fill the "City Memorial Hole" with plastic bags?
ReplyDeleteOr move the Bond street slide dirt to the hole. Complete two projects that have hung on forever.
By the way, plastic bags are made from a petroleum by-product that is part of producing other petroleum products and doesn't deplete our supply of oil.
petroleum n. "A thick, flammable, yellow-to-black mixture of gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons that occurs naturally beneath the earth's."
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong but, after it comes out of the earth, doesn't it all come out of the same barrel in the beginning "Anonym" with non-biodegradable plastic as one by-product?