Council to discuss plastic bag regulations at February 4th Council meeting

At Shoreline City Council’s Monday, February 4 meeting, the City Council will continue its discussion on whether or not to regulate plastic carryout bags provided by Shoreline retailers. The Council will hear from City staff on various policies and laws used to regulate plastic carryout bags that have been adopted in many communities across the country. In Washington State, the cities of Bellingham, Bainbridge Island, Edmonds, Issaquah, Mukilteo, Port Townsend and Seattle have enacted plastic bag regulations.

Since Council last discussed plastic bag regulations in April 2012, the City conducted its biannual satisfaction survey and asked residents whether they would like to see plastic bag regulations in Shoreline. In response to this, 49% of respondents answered ‘Yes,’ 31% answered ‘No,’ 17% answered ‘Neutral,’ and 3% answered ‘Don’t Know.’ Staff also conducted an informal survey of the 200 largest retailers in Shoreline seeking their input and reached out to the Northwest Grocery Association, the Washington Food Industry Association and the Washington Retail Association for their input. Staff will share the information gathered and provide some examples of different regulatory models for Council to discuss.

If you would like to comment on plastic bag regulations, you can do so during the public comment portion of the Council meeting which starts at 7 p.m. or you can go to the city webpage and make your comments online.

For more information about potential regulations for single use plastic bags, contact Management Analyst John Norris at 206-801-2216.