Replace Disposable Plastic Bags With Durable Reusable Bags

To encourage the utilization of reusable shopping bags, a lot of city councils have enforced a tax or even a ban on throw away plastic and also paper bags. The local City Council in Aspen recently announced a plastic ban in supermarkets. As stated in an AspenDailyNews.com report, the new ban will take effect May 1 in the next year. Not like many other cities, the decision was not unanimous, with the votes leaning 4-1 favoring the ban. A charge of 20 cents will also be added to paper bags. The city council were in discussions of either enforcing a ban or charging a fee for single-use bags for more than two years. After earning the support of three local councilmen, the environmental representatives were asked to draft a stronger law.

Opinions of the local councilmen and public

Derek Johnson was the one councilman who has been opposing the tactic as he reasoned that the ban would not afford the people a choice and as well cost the city a great deal of money to accomplish it. Even though he promoted the initiative designed for a reduction of waste, Johnson believed that the city could take up better eco-friendly steps. Johnson also reasoned that the ban may be challenging to visitors since they’re unaware of the local regulation. When the new law was outlined recently, councilmen stated that the overall ban would be a futile effort and wouldn’t prove to be as beneficial.

After delivering a variety of alternatives, Councilman Steve Skadron became aware that without a clear majority, the topic would continue to be inconclusive. Skadron changed his opinions and decided he would support the law. Mayor of Aspen Mick Ireland and Councilmen Adam Frisch and Torre likewise supported the ordinance. Councilmen voiced concerns concerning the unacceptable disposal of plastic waste that ends up on the banks of the local waters and pollute the eco-system. Citizens typically communicated a positive reaction to the ban with only a few opposing. The city is planning to reduce the utilization of use and throw bags by no less than 50%.

Expenses and revenues

The income earned by the 20-cent paper bag fee is anticipated to be anywhere between $33,000 and $170,000. The supermarkets can choose to either keep one thousand dollars each month to cover the costs of executing the ban or at a fixed rate of 25% of the overall fee collection. The city of Aspen is predicted to receive revenue anywhere between $25,000 to an estimated high of $145,000. The cash flow earned through the ban and fee shall be used to buy and circulate recycled bags. Some of the money will also be committed to formulating an educational promotion against the use of plastic. The total cost to implement the ban and the new campaign is predicted at $37,640 with an additional commitment of $5,520 for staff.

Similar programs elsewhere

It is estimated that approximately 80 countries all around the globe have actively imposed tough laws to minimize absorption and also wastefulness of hazardous plastics. With well over 20 countries enforcing an overall ban, many cities and states in the U.S.A. have followed suit.