On Wednesday July 12, 2017 the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance in Tacoma became official. Under this new law, disposable plastic bags are banned and paper bags are available for a 5-cent fee. The law impacts all retail businesses in Tacoma, including grocery stores, convenience stores, department stores, as well as temporary retailers and vendors at farmers markets and festivals.
The state of Pennsylvania has wrestled with plastic bag legislation for several years. As plastic bag bans have increased across the country, it just seemed that Pennsylvania could not seem to pass their own laws around bags. Luckily, that trend continued after the Governor vetoed House Bill 1071. This bill was written to prevent local municipalities from passing laws to regulate bags. This means towns, cities, and counties in Pennsylvania would not have been able to pass plastic bag bans.
For almost a decade it has been illegal for cities and counties in Florida to pass laws regulating disposable plastic bags. Efforts around plastic bag bans have continued to grow throughout the state. South Florida is definitely a hot bed for bag ban support.
Cities, states, and countries are banning or taxing plastic bags at an increased rate and sometimes the viability of these bans is put into question. In the grand scheme of things, plastic shopping bags aren’t new, but they do offer convenience to consumers. Still, convenience is not enough of a reason to continue their use, especially when excellent, eco-friendly alternatives exist.
According to the New York Times, plastic shopping bags were introduced in 1977, and they have had a grip on the environment ever since. Communities and consumers are growing wise to the harm that plastic bags can cause and are turning to reusable options. We have pinpointed 4 of the most pressing questions about plastic bag bans, and answer them below.
We’ve covered how single-use plastic bags harm the environment , but what are the effects of banning plastic bags? Disposable plastic bags are very likely to end up as litter, and can cause a lot of harm to ecosystems and food chains, as well as clogging storm drains, and just being an eyesore. When single-use plastic bags are no longer part of the picture, what does that picture look like?
Officials in Minneapolis began considering a single-use plastic bag ban in May of 2015. The proposal went through several versions. Ultimately, a 5-cent fee was levied on paper bags, and everything was set to go into effect on June 1, 2017. We have been following the plastic bag ban discussion in Minneapolis for a while now, so we were thrilled to see the measure pass. There have been several twists and turns in the saga to implement a plastic bag ban in Minneapolis, and as of right now the ban is on hold.
The Coral Gables plastic bag ban is good news for the environment, and it is also good news for businesses. Disposable plastic bags became popular due to their lightweight construction, but there are a lot of environmental trade offs. These single-use bags are made from nonrenewable resources, they are exceedingly difficult and costly to recycle and are very likely to end up as litter. Plastic bag bans put an end to all of these negative impacts, while also creating an opportunity for your business to help your clients as you promote your brand.
First, know that the bag ban is now in full effect with a one-year implementation program that includes education for retailers and consumers, as well as the opportunity for retailers to use their existing inventory of single-use plastic bags. There seems to be a genuine desire by the city of Coral Gables to help both retailers and consumers become educated and excited about the ban. Retailers are strongly encouraged to educate their employees to promote reusable bags and post signs to educate consumers about the ban.
In an unanimous vote Coral Gables’ Commissioners approved a disposable plastic bag ban. Retailers will have a year to implement the plastic bag ban. After that time violators will be fined. Retailers are allowed to provide reusable compostable or paper bags for free or for a fee at their choosing. Enforcement of the ban and fines are effective immediately for special events.
The passing of this law is positive news for Palm Beach County, Jacksonville Beach and the Florida Keys as all areas in Florida trying to implement bans of their own.
When California passed a disposable plastic bag ban this was big news for the environment. We have told you what your business needs to know about the California bag ban. In can take time, but once shoppers form the habit of bringing their reusable bags to the store bag bans can also help retailers. It is worth noting that the California Grocers Association supports the California bag ban. The positive impact extends to other businesses, too. Here are 3 ways to make the California bag ban work for your brand.
Plastic bag bans began to gain traction around 2007 when San Francisco approved a law prohibiting disposable plastic bags in certain retail establishments. San Francisco’s ban was not implemented until 2012, and it was expanded in 2013, but ever since the law was first approved, plastic bag bans have continued to pop up.
We have highlighted below several cities that have plastic bag bans in place. To learn more and see the plastic bag ban movement as a whole, check out our bag ban map. Our bag ban map of the entire world shows which cities have banned plastic bags, implemented bag fees, and shows those cities that have had failed bag bans. You can also get a quick alphabetical list of cities that have plastic bag bans on our Top Green Cities in the U.S. page.
Vermont has considered measures to ban or levy fees on disposable plastic bags for many years, but two proposals in Vermont could put an end to, or at least significantly reduce the use of disposable bags.
One measure would ban single-use plastic bags and nonrecyclable paper bags. The second measure would impose a 10-cent fee per bag handed out at the checkout.
Both proposals have already missed key legislative deadlines, so they will not pass during this session. The earliest a ban or fee could pass would be 2018.
Iowa has joined the ranks of Michigan, Arizona, and Florida with a recently passed piece of legislation that prevents cities and counties within the state from passing plastic bag bans, or measures that would levy fees or taxes on disposable plastic bags. There was interest in several Iowa communities in banning plastic bags, and as is typically the case, once one municipality passes a ban neighboring cities and counties will follow their lead. Plastic bag bans prevent environmental harm and can be good for the planet and communities. It’s disappointing news when we hear about bans on plastic bag bans becoming a reality.
Single-use plastic bag bans are becoming more common and sought after by communities and states like California that want to protect our environment. Plastic bag bans allow communities to prevent litter, and the resulting harm and costs caused by litter and its clean up.
Even as some states are looking to limit or ban plastic bag bans, there is still a very strong movement and increased interest in plastic bag bans. Have you thought about starting a bag ban in your hometown? We’ve outlined the steps to starting a plastic ban ban in your community, but here are some more tips to help you implement plastic bag bans.
Coral Gables is on the verge of becoming the first city in Florida to pass a ban on single-use plastic bags! The proposal already passed the first vote. A second and final vote was scheduled for March 28, but unfortunately, that vote did not happen. As of now the vote is on hold and the future of the bag ban in Coral Gables is still undecided. If approved, the ban would prevent the use of single-use plastic bags at city special events and by retailers.
Making the switch to reusable bags can take some getting used to and forming the habit of grabbing your bags is a must. Until that habit is formed it can be frustrating when you find yourself at the checkout without your bags, but we are here to help with tips for creating a habit.
New research shows that is does not take just 21 days, as was previously thought, to create a new habit, but on average it takes 66 days to form a habit. The easy way to remember your reusable bags is to keep using these tips until grabbing your bags becomes habit.
Disposable plastic bag bans are gaining visibility in Minnesota and we think that’s great. In fact, Minneapolis passed a plastic bag ban that goes into action in June. Duluth is also considering implementing a bag ban of their own.
Still, some state lawmakers are not on board with this trend, and are discussing a bill to ban plastic bag bans. Although there is a lot of support to ban plastic bags due to the environmental impact, a new movement is forming in response to the state’s efforts to ban plastic bag bans. Read on to find out why Minnesota is working to put an end to plastic bag bans in their state.
The ocean is a beautiful, vast and awe-inspiring, invaluable resource. When the health of the ocean fails, the health of the entire planet and all of it’s inhabitants, will follow suit. In a recent article, Richard Branson breaks down the importance of the ocean and explains how protecting the ocean is everyone’s business.
His post, and the video he included in it, help to really bring home the idea that we are all responsible for protecting our oceans. Smart businesses are helping out and protecting the world’s oceans, while also getting their message seen by promoting their brand with eco-friendly bags.
The movement to ban disposable plastic bags in Florida is picking up momentum with Jacksonville Beach throwing their support behind a state bill. This comes shortly after a group of students from North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, made a presentation to their local officials in support of the same bill.
A state law in Florida prohibits cities and municipalities from implementing plastic bag bans. A group of seventh- and eighth-graders is looking to change this law.
Students from The Benjamin School, a private school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, asked county officials to support plastic bag bans in local stores.
After hearing the student’s presentation the officials agreed and will look into the possibility of implementing a ban, which could be a game changer in Florida.
Banning plastic bags can cause a lot of good for communities and the environment. If you’re thinking about implementing a plastic bag ban in your city, there are lots of resources to help you get started. A great tool to check out is Bag It and as always, we’re here to help, too.