The Kirkland City Council voted to approve a proposed ban on most plastic bags at city businesses, despite a 2013 survey of residents that showed overwhelming opposition. The ban prohibits single-use plastic bags while allowing exemptions for plastic bags such as those used for transporting bulk food, hardware items, frozen foods, meats, and newspapers. It also requires retail stores to charge customers at least five cent fee for recyclable paper bags.
The new policy is scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2016. It is estimated that the new regulation will affect approximately 170 retail businesses in Kirkland.
Mayor Amy Walen, who voted in favor of the ordinance, has said a ban is necessary for environmental reasons.
“Kirkland is growing and we must grow in a smart way,” she said in a release. “I’m proud to see Kirkland adopt this consumer- and business-friendly legislation that shows Kirkland’s commitment to being responsible for our environment.”
The only councilmember to vote against the ordinance was Toby Nixon, who has voiced opposition to the idea of a plastic bag ban from the beginning.
Other cities with plastic bag bans include Seattle, Issaquah, Bellingham, Shoreline and Mercer Island.
According to a May 2013 survey conducted by Elway Research, Inc. of around 400 Kirkland residents found that eighty percent of them reuse more than one type of bag and nearly half of them already bring their own bags to the grocery store. The survey also found that residents heavily favored voluntary measures, albeit 85 percent thought stores should be required to have plastic bag recycling bins.
Yet, nearly 70 percent opposed any ban on disposable shopping bags, according to the survey.
Kirkland currently has a high recycling rate.
The proposed ordinance was first presented to the council in October.
Information on the plastic bag reduction policy is available at www.kirklandwa.gov/bringyourbag. Residents and businesses with questions can call the Recycling Hotline at 425-587-3812 or email recycle@kirklandwa.gov.
