City Council Approves Ban on Plastic Bags & Polystyrene Packaging

At its Aug. 21 regular session meeting, City Council approved an ordinance that bans single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam packaging by restaurants and retail stores with a store footprint of 10,000 square feet or larger, as well as businesses located on city-owned property. The ban would go into effect on March 1, 2019.

City Council adopted the ordinance to ban plastic bags and polystyrene packaging as part of the city’s overall waste reduction and recycling goals, as well as the city’s Climate Action Plan currently under development. On March 1, 2019, businesses must provide only recycled paper bags or reusable bags as checkout bags for customers.

Between now and the date this ordinance goes into effect, retailers are allowed to continue using single-use bags to drawdown their stock. Once in effect, businesses found in violation of the ban will face monetary fines.

Plastic bags that are provided at times other than checkout are allowed, which includes bags for meat, produce, bulk items and prescription drugs. Plastic bags that are at least 4 millimeters thick would be considered reusable and may be provided at the retailer’s discretion.

For more information, contact Peter Passarelli, public works director, at passarellip@milwaukieoregon.gov (link sends e-mail) or 503.786.7614. Details about the ordinance can also be found at www.milwaukieoregon.gov.