A hearing at the Oregon State Capitol Wednesday brings the debate over banning plastic bans back to lawmakers.
A hearing at the Oregon State Capitol Wednesday brings the debate over banning plastic bans back to lawmakers.
Support for a draft ban proposed for next year’s legislative session came from the Northwest Grocers Association, grocer Fred Meyer, paper-bag maker International Paper, recycler Far West Fibers and environmental groups.
If it clears the Legislature, Oregon would likely be the first state to adopt a statewide ban.
Environmental groups like the ban’s potential to cut “litter that never goes away,” as Brock Howell of Environment Oregon puts it.
The nickel charge — opponents call it a “stealth tax” — also helped win support from the grocers association, whose members have seen paper bag use soar at stores that eliminate plastic checkout bags.
And the potential for higher use of paper bags helped draw in International Paper, which operates a Kraft bag manufacturing plant in Beaverton.
Read more at OregonLive.com.
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