Portland City Council Endorses Plastic Bag Ban

Portland’s City Council joins the “ban the bag” movement.

This afternoon, the council voted unanimously to support a statewide ban on single use plastic bags, and a five cent fee on paper bags. The proposed ban would start in 2012.

Success depends on the legislature approving it, but they don’t meet until 2011. So what happens if Oregon’s lawmakers say no? In that case, the council says they’ll  look at passing a bag ban law in Portland.

Two weeks ago, the city seemed on the verge of approving a plastic bag ban.

There was a large “ban the bag” rally outside city hall, and a promise from Mayor Sam Adams to bring a draft ordinance before the council. Ban supporters were hoping that by getting Portland to pass a ban, the rest of Oregon would follow.

It didn’t work out that way.

State Senator Mark Hass, one of the sponsors of a statewide ban, asked Adams to hold off. Hass came awfully close to passing a ban in 2010. He’s putting together new legislation he says is winning support across the state.

Hass believes that if Portland goes it alone on the issue, it’ll hurt his chances for a statewide ban. Adams listened.

So instead of Portland leading Oregon on this issue, it’s the other way around.

Environmental groups are pleased with this compromise.

Environment Oregon and Surfrider issued press releases praising the vote.

“Today marks a momentous milestone on the path to a statewide ban, says Environment Oregon. “This is not a Republican versus Democrat, conservative versus liberal, or a rural versus urban issue. State senators and representatives of both aisles and representing diverse constituents support statewide legislation.”

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