February 9th, 2010
Oregon:
Senate committee considers ban on plastic bags
“Although the bill’s chances are uncertain during a one-month session, lawmakers are giving serious thought to making Oregon the first state to ban single-use plastic bags at checkout counters.”
Virginia:
Delegate pushes plastic-bag fee
“In an effort to get you to answer the “paper or plastic?” question with “I brought my own reusable bags,” a delegate has put in a bill to charge a 5-cent fee for each disposable bag used at grocery and other stores.”
Washington, DC
DC Clarifies Tax on Plastic Bags
“Amidst confusion from retailers and the public, the D.C. Department of the Environment clarified its plastic bag tax rules last week, the Washington Post reports. The new regulations outlined what retailers have to charge a nickel per plastic bag and how enforcement of the law would be done.
One of the first plastic bag fees in the United States, the tax was implemented to alter consumer behavior and curb Chesapeake Bay watershed pollution. The city predicts that from 2010 to 2014 the tax will bring in around $10 million, which will go to environmental programs.”
Florida:
DEP Releases Retail Bags Report
“After gathering public input from numerous stakeholders and organizations, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today released its report on the need for new or different regulation of retail bags to Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature. The Energy, Climate Change and Economic Security Act of 2008 directed the DEP to perform an analysis and submit a comprehensive report on the “necessity and efficacy” of retail bags regulation by February 1, 2010.”
