A new ordinance which would ban the distribution of plastic shopping bags by retail businesses in Soldotna is scheduled to be introduced at the next Soldotna City Council meeting. The ordinance is sponsored by council members Lisa Parker and Linda Murphy.
Soldotna City Council Member Lisa Parker: “What it would do, it will prohibit stores from using plastic bags after November of 2018. It wouldn’t preclude you from taking plastic bags in as a resident and using it, but the store could not provide you with a plastic bag for bagging groceries. Recyclable bags that are available in the store is what we would move towards.”
The proposed ordinance calls for an effective date of November 1, 2018, giving Soldotna businesses the opportunity to make the transition.
In an memorandum included with the ordinance, there are “countless reasons for cutting down on the number of plastic bags.” The memorandum outlines three key topics including:the bags are unsightly, bad for wildlife and take years to decompose.
Council member Parker and City Manager Stephanie Queen visited with several local businesses to discuss the ordinance. While there has been no outright opposition, businesses have requested the ordinance not take effect immediately, giving them and their staff time to inform shoppers of the upcoming change.
Soldotna City Council Member Lisa Parker: “I have not had anybody express opposition to prohibiting plastic bags. The reaction has been positive and it was from a youth group that came forward. Well, I’ve been following it with this youth group furthering me even more to introduce it. We’ll see if it gets introduced on Wednesday night and what the feelings are of other members of the council.”
The ordinance also includes the proposal for a $300 fine for distribution of single use, plastic disposable shopping bags.
Currently around the state Hooper Bay and Bethel have bans on plastic shopping bags in effect. The City of Homer enacted a law banning plastic bags in August of 2012; however, in February of 2013 a citizen’s referendum was filed and in October of 2013 the voters of the City of Homer repealed the plastic bag ban.
The City of Wasilla enacted a similar law banning plastic bags in January of 2018, with an effective date of July 1, 2018.
The ordinance will be introduced at the Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 28. A public hearing for the proposed ordinance is scheduled for April 11.
