City to ban plastic bags, suggests phase-out plan

The Austin City Council, directed by City Manager Mark Ott, voted Aug. 4, 2011 to evaluate a new ordinance that proposes to phase out single-use plastic bags at most retailers.

The phasing out period would run from January 2013 to January 2016, after which time it would become unlawful for any business establishment within city limits to provide single-use carryout bags to their customers.

To facilitate a smooth transition under this ordinance, a three- year period has been proposed during which a $0.25 surcharge will be added to plastic bags for customers who do not have a reusable bag at checkout.

Exceptions to the surcharge will be made only for customers using Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued Lone Star Cards for payment.

For comparison, the Austin City Council Environmental Board has been looking into other U.S. cities that have similar plastic bag ban ordinances. The following cities have all made an effort to ban single-use plastic bags: San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.; Telluride, Colo.; Washington; Westport, Conn.; Portland, Ore.; Bellingham, Wash.; and Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville charged a voluntary fee of $1 from January 2010 to January 2011 after which the fee was required. Retailers are allowed to keep $0.50 of every dollar and the rest goes to the city for environmental programs.

For more information visit speakaustin.org.