Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Plastic Bag Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff reports survey results as county re‑examines plastic‑bag ordinance; 'by‑request' policies favored for utensils and straws
Summary
County staff told the Natural Resources Committee that an outreach survey returned roughly 6,062 consumer responses and 138 business responses and showed stronger support for banning plastic bags and certain foam clamshells, while both residents and businesses favored 'by‑request' rules for straws and utensils; staff will finish analysis and return recommendations.
A staff member briefed the committee on the county's current review of the existing plastic‑bag ordinance and described a multi‑department working group, business outreach and an online consumer survey. "We got 6,062 consumer responses and 138 business responses," the staff presenter told the committee, and said staff were compiling the results to develop recommendations for the committee.
The preliminary findings, as described by staff, show relatively strong support for restrictions on plastic bags and clamshell containers and more ambivalence about straws and single‑use utensils. For the latter, staff said many jurisdictions use a "by request" approach—meaning straws and some utensils are provided only if customers ask—and that businesses often find that approach acceptable because it reduces cost. Committee members asked clarifying questions about how the recommendations would move forward; staff said they will revise analyses and return to the committee with recommended next steps and draft ordinance language where appropriate.
