Title
"Farewell" to Plastic Bags
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive information and recognize upcoming plastic bag ban.
Report
Issue:
Recognition of the upcoming plastic bag ban beginning July 1, 2014, in the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Unincorporated Thurston County.
Staff Contact:
Spencer Orman, Senior Program Specialist, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8752
Presenter(s):
Dan Daniels, Line of Business Director, Public Works Waste ReSources
Background and Analysis:
On October 15, 2013, the City Council approved Ordinance 6869 regulating the distribution of single-use plastic and biodegradable carry out bags, requiring retail establishments to collect a pass-through charge from customers requesting recyclable paper carry out bags. The cities of Lacey, Tumwater and unincorporated Thurston County have all passed similar ordinances.
Beginning in 2014, City staff made efforts to notify, prepare and assist Olympia businesses on how to comply with the ban. Outreach included information on the City's web site, partnering with Thurston County Solid Waste to hold a Bag Ban Open House for businesses, direct mail, a media release, and responding in person, via phone and by email. to questions and requests about the ordinance.
On May 25, 2014, the General Government Committee was briefed on outreach efforts. Staff followed through on the Committee's recommendation for one last outreach effort by contacting 25 of the City's largest retailers to make sure they were aware of the upcoming ban and to offer additional assistance.
Thurston County Solid Waste took the lead on the ban and outreach throughout the County.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Business owners were invited to attend an open house on April 16, 2014. Of the approximate 30 people in attendance, some did not support the ban. A few businesses were concerned about the level of effort it would take to comply and if their exi...
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