HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2012 - Disposable Bags - Air Quality Advisory Board
Environmental Services Department
215 North Mason
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6600
970.224.6177 Fax
fcgov.com/environmentalservices
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Mayor Weitkunat and Councilmembers
FROM: Greg McMaster, Chair, Air Quality Advisory Board
CC: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
DATE: November 19, 2012
SUBJECT: Disposable Bags Recommendation
______________________________________________________________________________
The AQAB received a presentation from staff in November that outlined options for reduction of
disposable bags including education only, impose a tax or fee, or ban disposable bags. The
Board discussed a range of environmental harms that occur from use of disposable bags,
including littering, harming wildlife and ecosystems, etc., and also recognized the problems
plastic bags cause in single stream recycling machinery. The Board discussed what they thought
would be appropriate next steps. All members favored Council taking action to correct the
problems caused by plastic bags, and the large minatory not supporting the motion was only
because they specifically wanted a stronger motion banning plastic bags at this time.
Please contact me if you have any questions or want additional detail on the recommendation.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.
Dennis Georg moved and David Dietrich seconded a motion to recommend to Council that they adopt
ordinances that would significantly reduce plastic bags.
Vote 4-3-0-(4 supporting – 3 against– 0 abstained)
Scott Groen, Nancy York and Hugh Mackay dissented because they felt the motion was not
strong enough – they wanted plastic bags banned.