Submitted By
Cara Pavlicek, Village Manager
Reviewed By
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 20 ("Public Health"), Article 14 ("Retail Single-Use Bag Pilot Program") of the Oak Park Village Code to Make the Village's Single-Use Bag Program Mandatory
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Overview
Overview
On April 17, 2017, the Village Board approved an amendment to the Village Code to establish a voluntary piolet program. Subsequently, Trustees Tucker and Moroney request consideration of a mandatory ordinance. The attached amendment would be effective January 1, 2018 and apply to retailers 5,000 sf or greater.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Policy decision.
Body
Fiscal Impact
A mandatory fee on single-use bags of 10 cents for every bag provided to the customer would allow for the retailor to retain 5 cents and 5 cents would be returned to the Village. The Village would use a portion of these funds for marketing those merchants who participate and "certify" them as a green business, as well as retain these funds for other sustainable activities.
Background
Originally in May of 2014, the Village Board asked the EEC to review the newly adopted ordinance by the City of Chicago to ban plastic bags. After considerable research by the EEC, the EEC decided to recommend a fee that would be imposed on any person who needs a bag, paper or plastic. After further discussion, staff recommends a voluntary program to start beginning June 2017 - June 2019. The EEC will review the issue after one-year, and provide a report by December 2018 to the Village Board so that the Village can determine to keep or alter the program.
Studies from Boulder, CO, Seattle, WA, San Jose, CA, Washington, DC, Aspen, CO, and Boulder, CO estimate average single use plastic and paper bag consumption at 340 - 630 bags per person per year. (Source: "Options for reducing disposable checkout bag use in Boulder", Boulder City Council Meeting Agenda, May 15, 2012. http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/fil...
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