Resident asks EAC to explore charging for plastic bags; staff to research other cities' rules

A resident asked the Inver Grove Heights Environmental Advisory Commission to explore whether the city could charge customers for single‑use plastic or paper bags as a way to reduce plastic pollution.

"My name is Denise Morrow, and I'm at 7406 Bolton Way in Brookville Heights," said Denise Morrow during public comment. "Has Inver Grove Heights ever considered charging customers for plastic bags or paper bags instead of, you know, bringing their own?"

Liz, city staff, responded that the city has not previously considered a bag ordinance: "I don't think we've ever considered that as an ordinance for the city... as far as I know, we've never brought that up as an item to be as a part of the city ordinance." She said Minneapolis and Saint Paul have ordinances and volunteered to research local ordinances and statewide processes, and to share findings with the commission.

Commissioners described experiences in other jurisdictions and at waste facilities. Commissioner Killian noted that from a landfill tour, "plastic bags are probably one of their bigger headaches for trash because they do blow around, and they do have to put up fencing to try to catch all those bags." Other commissioners said some store bag‑collection programs stopped because collected bags were being landfilled.

Liz said she will research municipal ordinances, any relevant state processes, and recycling/collection practices and can add her findings as an agenda item to a future meeting so the information is on the public record.

No policy decision or vote was taken; staff follow-up was the agreed next step.