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<br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Action: An Ordinance Encouraging the Use of Reusable Bags, Banning Single-Use <br />Plastic Carryout Bags, and Adding Sections 6.850, 6.855, 6.860, and 6.865 <br />to the Eugene Code, 1971 <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Date: October 22, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 4 <br />Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Ethan Nelson <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5224 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />The proposed ordinance to increase reusable bags at retail locations by instituting a ban on plastic bags <br />is in alignment with the City of Eugene goals of sustainability, waste prevention, and community <br />livability. Bag ban ordinances are being promoted and adopted in communities across the U.S. This <br />policy was designed with input from multiple stakeholders including industry and environmental <br />advocates, who support the ordinance. Staff has presented the agenda item summary (AIS), <br />recommending a few revisions that improve the City’s ability to comprehensively implement the <br />ordinance. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The City Council reviewed this issue at the July 23, 2012, work session and again during the September <br />17, 2012, public hearing. <br /> <br />To help with education efforts and provide an opportunity for public input, City staff created a project <br />webpage: www.eugene-or.gov/plasticbags. Links to a consumer and retail survey were provided as well <br />as the proposed ordinance, staff reports and links to plastic bag ban resource pages. <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />The City of Eugene regulates licensed garbage and recycling hauling activities within the city limits. <br />These activities are guided by Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) as well as the Eugene City Code. In <br />particular, ORS 459a outlines the “Opportunity to Recycle” for all Oregonians and sets garbage <br />diversion rates that county’s and their municipalities should strive for. Lane County’s goal is to achieve <br />54 percent diversion on an annual basis by 2009. This level was reached for the first time in 2010 (57.4 <br />percent). Outside of this statewide policy, waste reduction and diversion is included as an action item <br />within Eugene’s Climate and Energy Action Plan. <br /> <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />Staff recommends adopting the proposed ordinance with the following revisions. <br />S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M121022\S1210224.doc <br />