|
Services
>
Garbage
>
Reduce Garbage & Litter
>
Green Fee & Foam Ban Proposals
Green Fee and Foam Ban Proposal
Disposable Bag Green Fee
To encourage shoppers to switch to reusable bags and cut down on waste, the City of Seattle passed a 20-cent green fee on disposable shopping bags, both paper and plastic.
- • The fee will begin Jan. 1, 2009. It will be charged at grocery, drug and convenience stores — the source of almost 75 percent of all bags. This will save 4,000 tons of greenhouse gas per year, that’s the same as taking 665 cars off the road
- • The fee will not apply to bags used inside stores to contain bulk items; bags for prepared food, such as deli or bakery goods; newspapers; and dry-cleaner bags
- • Merchants will retain 5 cents per bag for taxes and administrative costs. Businesses that gross less than $1 million will keep the entire 20-cent fee.
- • City revenue — 15 cents per bag — will be used for waste prevention, recycling, city cleanup and environmental education programs.
Learn more about the Green Fee >
Read the Mayor’s News Release >
Foam Food Container Ban
Mayor Nickels and Council President Conlin also propose a ban on the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS, sometimes called “Styrofoam”) containers and cups in all restaurants.
- • Subject to City Council action expected in June, the ban would begin on Jan. 1, 2009.
- • It would apply to all food service businesses and include some of the foam packaging used in grocery stores, such as egg cartons and vegetable trays.
- • Food service businesses are encouraged to switch now to compostable and recyclable alternatives, which are already available from local distributors.
- • The proposal requires all food service businesses to switch from one-time-use, disposable plastic and plastic-coated paper food and beverage containers and utensils to fully compostable and recyclable substitutes by July 1, 2010.
Learn more about the EPS container (Styrofoam) ban >
To learn more about these proposals read the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
Transition Year Plans
During the rollout and first year of these programs, the City will:
- • Earmark up to $1 million to support distribution of free or low-cost reusable bags.Set up business advisory committees representing retail and restaurant sectors.
- • Help food service businesses work together for lower prices on new compostable products.
- • Make significant investments in public education, to promote reusable bag use and tell customers about composting programs at home and at restaurants.
- • Set aside funding for joint promotions with stores and restaurants.
- • Provide complete program information on the Web.
- • Reach shoppers and diners using regular direct mail.
- • Establish programs to make sure low income families and the elderly have the reusable bags they need.
|
