Ashland, Ore—On November 6, a citywide ordinance took effect banning single-use
plastic carry-out bags at store checkouts. In an effort to encourage this transition
local stores are now required to charge a 10¢ fee for each paper bag assuming the
paper bags are at least 40% post-consumer recycled content.
The object of the ordinance is to mitigate the standard practice of end-consumer
plastic carry-out bag use and reduce the volume of the waste associated, ultimately
transitioning to re-usable carry-out bags only.
According to the City of Ashland, “with many grocers already eliminating plastic
bags, the transition has actually been underway for some time.”
It may be a stretch, but this fierce approach Ashland has taken to cut down plastic
waste could be considered by some to be on par with the sort of drastic bans and
boycotts the community of Ashland has experienced in the past in moving toward a
more environmentally minded community— the closure of the only McDonald’s in
town in 1996 is one example. This may not be a ban per se, but it seems to be
coming from some of the same motivations. Whatever the case may be, it is certainly
a unique part of Ashland’s community activism. The bag ban may be the next step
for helping the environment in some community members’ opinions.
Southern Oregon Univeristy environmental studies major, Randall Fitzpatrick,
agrees with proponants of the ordinance in that it will be beneficial:
“The plastic bag ban will incorporate Ashland into the growing movement away
from overuse of plastic and towards more sustainable and less toxic materials. The
leeching of chemicals from plastics and the plastic manufacturing process will
continue to degrade water resources and negatively affect ecosystems until the
trend is reversed. The plastic bag ban is one way we can reduce our carbon footprint
here is Ashland. “
