1. The Case for a Plastic Carryout Bag Tax in Memphis
Memphis City Council, October 2018

2. Why impose a tax on single-use, non-recyclable plastic carryout bags???
100 BILLION single-use carryout bags are used annually in America—the majority of which end up in landfills…where they take 1 THOUSAND years to decompose
Single-use plastic bags never truly biodegrade, resulting in plastic pellets diverted in the water supply or leaking toxins into the ground; the impact on aquatic marine life is also adversely affected
Jurisdictions that have implemented single-use bag bans, fees, or taxes have seen significant reductions in single-use bags, changed consumer behavior, and raised funding for important environmental remediation goals— improving citizen recreation, tourism, and urban beautification
In FY17, City of Memphis Solid Waste spent $9.3 MILLION in landfill disposal costs, 40% of which was non-compostable
Memphians deserve a sustainable environment.

3. Single-Use Plastics in the Environment
Americans generate over 258 MILLION tons of waste annually
Less than one-third of American waste is recycled or composted
Single-use plastic bags are the fifth-most common single-use plastic found in the environment
Less than 5 percent of the 100 BILLION+ single-use plastic bags are actually recycled
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4. Case Studies: D.C., Chicago, Boulder
Benefits:
Cultural shift
Revenue
Sustainability
City
Bag Reduction
Revenue
Washington, D.C.
72%
10M (10 years)
Boulder, CO
70%
1M (5 years)
Chicago, IL
48%
5M (1 year)
Global trends:
Australia, Chile, China, India,
United Kingdom
State-level:
California, Hawaii…
Other cities with fees:
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Seattle
Boston
…Memphis???
[also proposed in Nashville]
Memphians deserve strong environmental leadership.

5. A Plan for Long-Term Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
Attitudes (avoid tax)
Action (BYO reusable bag)
Results: less trash, landfill, cost
Funding: land beautification
Conservation education
Minimal consumer and retailer impact
Plastic (non-recyclable) carryout bags only
Exceptions for restaurants
Exceptions for SNAP, seniors, bulk items, prescriptions, newspapers, drycleaning, and similar-type bags
Consumers have the CHOICE to “purchase” a bag/pay the tax/bring their own reusable bag
Bonus funding for city beautification, conservation education, and environmental remediation

6. (Photo from Washington, D.C. bag tax)
How could Memphians benefit from a dedicated stream of environmental use funds?
Memphis City Beautiful projects
Clean Memphis efforts
Riverfront conservation
School-age educational programs
Environmental awareness campaigns (e.g. anti-littering)
Purchase and distribution of reusable bags
Homeowner subsidies for sustainable water use: e.g. install rain gardens, native vegetation, permeable pavement; landscape enhancements, such as rain barrels and shade trees
(Photo from Washington, D.C. bag tax)