Item 4: Ordinance Encouraging Use of Reusable Bags

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Bag Ban Public Testimony 7/24/2012 – 9/17/2012 to ride bikes on sidewalks after the fact. They should own up to having said they had the right when they did not and should be walking their bikes like every other citizen unless in direct pursuit or en route to an emergency. And I am in favour of banning plastic bags. Thank you for your time. Louise Prévost 9/17/12 From: TonyCooley@comcast.net To: Eugene Mayor, City Council, and City Manager Please do not support the City of Eugene’s ban on Plastic Bags. This ordinance puts a burden on business, increases cost to consumers and is flawed in many of the assumptions used, for instance: - These bags are NOT single use. We and everyone we know use them for many things from lining waste baskets and picking up dog waste to re-use applications with food storage or school lunches. Banning the bag would have no affect in reducing waste, it would simply add to our expenses as we would need to now purchase bags for these needs. - Bag recycling is NOT difficult and is as simple as returning and re-using the bag at the store. Many stores already support this. Given today’s economic climate this is not the time to burden business while adding expenses to consumers. To move forward simply because the ban is “probably inevitable” as Chris Pryor stated in July is not showing leadership. Show some leadership by not acting, but recognizing the need for further evaluation. This is not an urgent issue. As the State of Oregon did, in lieu of a ban, please consider a statement in favor of increased use of re- usable bags, increased recycling efforts of plastic bags, and support for science to develop bio- technology which would enable the bags to break down rapidly when exposed to the elements. Postpone a ban decision for 5 years and let the experiment (and economic burdens) other cities who have banned bags be evaluated. Taking this approach encourages jobs and economic stability as opposed to a ban that encumbers business, consumers and the city all at once. The issue is not one of urgency, let’s slow down, recognize there may be a need for some change but evaluate all alternatives and consequences fully before acting. Thank you for this consideration. Tony Cooley Eugene