Page 28 - Plastics News March 2020

internAtionAL news

South Dakota legislators approves Washington bans disposable

ban on plastics bans plastics in restaurants and
grocery stores

he South Dakota House approved to block towns and
Tcities from banning plastic bags, cups and straws. ashington state lawmakers passed a ban on plastic
The Senate has already approved the bill, so it moves Wgrocery bags and added an 8-cent fee on paper
to Gov. Kristi Noem for action. A spokeswoman said the bags. However the Democratic Goveror Jay Inslee has
governor would be reviewing the legislation. Retail groups not yet signed the bill passed by the state Senate on
supported the ban on plastics bans, saying they make it Monday, The Seattle Times reported. Some conservative
more expensive for stores to supply alternatives. The lawmakers supported the Democrat-sponsored
legislation in the hopes it will create paper bag demand
and energize Washington’s pulp and paper industry. The
legislation received support from “the pulp and paper
industry, the environmental community, the large and
small grocers, the labor industry,” said Democratic Sen.
Mona Das, the bill’s sponsor. The ban targets grocery
plastic bags while exempting similar items including
garbage bags. The law would allow thicker plastic
bags designed for reuse, which would be subject to
an 8-cent fee that would increase to 12 cents in 2026.
Senate has already approved the bill, so it moves to Gov. The lawmakers in Washington are considering to ban
Kristi Noem for action. A spokeswoman for the governor disposable plastics in restaurants and grocery stores.
didn't immediately reply to an email asking the governor's Proposed legislation would create a phased-in ban on
position. Retail groups supported the ban on plastics plastic “food-service products” accompanying ready-to-
bans, saying they make it more expensive for stores to eat food — a lengthy list of items including containers,
supply alternatives. State lawmakers said they wanted bowls, bottles, meat trays, produce sacks, utensils,
to preempt local bans. Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender, tea bags and sandwich wrap. The statewide fee of 8
a Republican, criticized the bill, calling it government cents for paper bags would supplant jurisdictions with
overreach. Environmental groups and Democrats also existing 5-cent fees, including Seattle.People who rely
opposed the bill. The idea of a plastics ban gained some on food assistance programs would not pay the fees.
traction in Sioux Falls after the Big Sioux River flooded Lawmakers hope the fee will dissuade customers from
last year and left plastic bags strung in trees and bushes.
The House passed on a 46-24 vote in February its second
try after failing by three votes in the chamber last week.
Earlier bills on banning plastics in Colarado failed to clear
first Senate committee of state Sen. Angela Williams,
D-Denver, who joined with the Senate Local Government
Committee’s two Republicans to shoot down Senate Bill
10. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail,
would strike a state law, known as preemption, that
prohibits local governments from banning certain kinds
of plastics in their communities. Yvonne Taylor, lobbyist
for the South Dakota Municipal League, opposed the bill purchasing bags, while using the revenue as “cost
because she said it's not necessary. The discussions in two recovery” for retailers who give up cheaper plastic
cities about banning plastics have ended, and no other bags.The bill’s passage would align Washington with
communities are considering a plastics ban in the state, the 13 other states with plastic bag bans, including
she said, adding that local control is working. Oregon and California.

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