Plastic Bag Ban Could Be Enforced Next Year

A ban on single-use bags in Austin could be coming sooner than previously planned.

The current draft of the ordinance fazes them out in January 2013.

January 2012 - educate the public
June 2012 - retailers charge 10 cents per bag
January 2013 - no more single use bags

The timeline was shortened in response to comments from the community that the original phase out plan, which wasn't scheduled until 2016, was too long.

The purpose of the ban is to get more people to use reusable bags, which supporters of the ban say are better for the environment.

Some retailers have spoke out against the ban saying it doesn't promote recycling and that consumers should be given the choice to use single-use bags.

Ronnie Volkening, president of The Texas Retailers Association, says their concerns aren't being heard.

"We have been working with the city for months, expressing our concerns, offering alternative proposals to express this issue of managing plastic bags, but it seems at this point that our concerns and our points have been falling on deaf ears."

In response, the head of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, Gerry Acuna, says, "I think that staff and this commission has been absolutely bending backwards to work with the Retailers Association. We're looking at making sure that whoever is having to participate in this, we as a commission, we as city staff, have made every effort to minimize any negative impact there is."

One of those negative impacts could be on the plastic bag industry.

"I would tell you that Texas is one of the largest states with one of the largest manufacturing bases for this product," says Mike Sullivan, Director of Sustainability with Hilex Poly, which manufactures plastic bags.

The company has plants in several states including three in Texas, which employ about 200 people. The company also operates the largest plastic bag recycling plant. The bags go toward making new bags or other plastic goods.

Sullivan understands why city officials would want to promote reusable bags, but believes consumers should also have plastic as an option.

"We're all about freedom of choice. We're not down here to say Austinites can't use reusable bags, we just believe they need to decide for themselves," said Sullivan.

He's not alone in his thinking. A recent study conducted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance asked if their members support the ban, 56 percent answered, "No," and 44 percent said, "Yes."

The Solid Waste Advisory Commission discussed the proposal again on Wednesday night and is expected to present it to council Jan. 26. City Council may vote on the ban March 1.