Seattle’s Ban on Plastic and Styrofoam
Tuesday saw Seattle residents given the opportunity to voice their opinion on Mayor Greg Nickel’s proposal to ban Styrofoam containers, and impose a fee on plastic and paper bags at the checkout at supermarkets and local stores. And from what is slowly sliding out over the internets, the idea has been met with a warm reception.
The proposal was be enacted in a two stage process. Beginning in January of 2009, all foam products would be banned, but restraints and grocery stores would be allowed to switch to plastic products if they hadn’t found a biodegradable replacement. The second stage would go in to effect by 2010, at which time all plastics would be banned, leaving only biodegradables.
During the January and July period, a 20-cent per bag fee would be imposed in the checkout line at all grocery, convenience and drugstores.
The Seattle Post Intelligencer quoted Ravenna resident Liz Tatchell as saying she thought it was “…a great step in the right direction,” and “It’s more than just the bags — it’s a lifestyle change.” They added that “nearly all of the dozens of Seattleites… supported the proposal.”
Naturally, there was some opposition from representatives of the grocery industry who want a flat fee rather than a per-bag charge. But on the whole, it looks like Seattle residents are ready and willing to make the change to a more environmentally friendly future.
credit: Zainub at Flickr under a Creative Commons license
I live just south of Seattle, and I’ve gotta say, I hope this gets passed; I’m rooting for statewide, eventually. My household uses reusable bags (from Safeway and Fred Meyer’s)…and WOW they hold a lot. One bag holds 10 Sobe bottles, no problem. As for the usefulness of the plastic bags, I do agree, since I use them to take stuff to work, but honestly I still have a HUGE stack of plastic bags taking up space in the kitchen, since I used to get SO FREAKING MANY…
That said, you guys might want to proof-read the article a bit…
-”The proposal was be enacted…”
-”…but restraints and grocery stores…”
Sorry… I’m picky
Actually, Billybob, less bags will be thrown away. That’s the main point. People are being forced to think about what they are throwing away. That’s why this is a good thing. You’re right that those who reuse bags for other things are going to have to buy bags now instead and that is inconvenient for them but really, the cost won’t be that much even for the poor and in the end there is the larger picture. Less bags will be used. Besides, most people do not reuse their bags and it is the bigger picture that is important here.
I love this idea. Where I live there is limited access to recycling center, I wish something like this would be enforced here.
I don’t mind putting a fair share of responsibility on the consumer. But how come “they” still get to litter my mail box with unwanted coupon papers and other such advertising bullshit. I am sick of garbage mail! it’s far more waisteful yet the supermarkets and superstores get to cram it down our throats tax free.
When we grocery shop I put all the groceries back in the cart. I then bag them up when I get to my truck, with the reusable bags I keep in there.I like this because the baggers at the stores don’t pack so well since they are used to just tossing two or three things in the plastic bags, which is why I would come home with 18 bags and now that I do it myself it is maybe 5. Less to carry in the house and less mess, plus my bags never break or rip.
Wonderful idea .. Now we need 2 get the rest of the country going this way.. Sooner or later these folks are going to wake up!! Wen need to change many things.This is just one of them but its a super start!!
My problem here is we are “PRECHEN 2 THE Quire” This stuff need s to get on sights where people who are unaware of this go, IE disseminate it world wide where everyone can look an make a decision .. The bag manufactured and big oil don’t want this ….. Screws up there plans…
[...] to our RSS feed and stay up to date.The City of Seattle, heralded in environmental circles for its planned phase-out of styrofoam containers in restaurants and proposed fees on disposable shopping ba…, will let the voters decided if the bag fees should go forward. Citizens and paid workers gathered [...]
We go to our local dump once a month, with mostly re cycling. But we notice what is brought there by others and we are sometimes shocked that they do not recycle. We even recycle buildings here come to see the fantastic new 12 x 12 x 12 shed we built for under $3000 with recycled materials http://www.splitzvillefarm.com or come and leave us a comment at http://howtogogreen.wordpress.com
Thanks great site!
Will