Community Stakeholders Group Workshops A GENDA I TEM 7.1 UPDATE: Single-Use Bag Waste Reduction

Background: April 23 Council directed staff to form a community stakeholders group to explore opportunities & challenges with single-use plastic bags. Staff solicited the participation of our citizens and business community. Called in the experts: CA Against Waste CA Grocers Association Save the Plastic Bag Coalition 4 workshops were held. It has been documented that regulating the distribution of single-use bags has effectively resulted in less consumption and facilitates a transition in consumer behavior from disposable bags to reusable bags. Website developed. Worksheet provided outlining common themes of other local CA ordinances

Option 1: Status Quo no additional regulation Option2: Equal charge on single-use plastic & paper bags. Option 3: Ban on single-use plastic with a mandatory charge on paper (consistent with most current CA local ordinances). Goal Reduce single-use bag consumption and waste in Truckee.

Stakeholders' Draft of Potential Ordinance... Ban all handled, single-use plastic bags less than 2.5 mil thick. Require businesses to collect a minimum $.10 fee on all paper & reusable bags check-out; stores keep the fee but must record the amount of bags provided & the associated fee on the customers receipt; Stores shall keep record of the bags distributed for inspection by Town staff for a period of 3 yrs. Applies to all grocery, convenient, pharmacy and retail stores (does not effect restaurants at this time).

Recycled Paper Bags Accepted in local recycling program Less litter Maintains low cost single-use bag Define as… Manufactured w/ 40% PCM Contain no old-growth fiber 100% recyclable Consistent w/ other local CA ordinances Supported by CGA

Recommendation: Staff Seeks Council Input: Is the Council interested in moving forth with a ban on single-use plastic bags & a mandatory fee on paper /reusable bags provided at check out? A.

Staff Seeks Input: Stakeholders recommend that any proposed ordinance eliminate all single-use plastic bags with handles provided at all retail establishments but does not include: 1.Bags that are part of a products packaging. 2.Bags used to transport prepared food, produce & bulk items. 3.Bags used for prescription medication dispensed at a pharmacy. 4.Bags used to segregate food or merchandise that could damage of contaminate other food/merchandise when put together in a reusable bag. 5.Bags used to contain and protect large items such as tires, dry- cleaning and large format artwork. Stakeholders suggest that any required reporting be simple & straight forward as not to provide excessive burden on retailers. Staff recommends the development of a form that would be presented at a future meeting for consideration. B. C.

D. E. To allow businesses to use existing stock of bags & to provide adequate time for Pub. Ed Staff recommends delaying implementation & enforcement of any potential ordinance for 9 months after effective day; consider implementation in shoulder season. To reduce unforeseen burden to effected businesses, it is suggested allowing any business to petition the Town, in writing, for a six month delay to comply with regulation. F. Although some ordinances provide recipients of WIC & EBT access to free paper Bags, staff suggest that no exceptions are provided & that all citizens be required to comply w/ any proposed ordinance.

Q UESTIONS ? Next Steps Provide input & direct staff on how to proceed.