Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy Follow-up Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 6.
ITEM TITLE: Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy Follow-up
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending that a ban, tax, or fee on
single-use plastic bags not be established and direction is
requested regarding further staff dedication to voluntary
efforts.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
June 30, 2011 Memo Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E i"
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Follow-up Information re: Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy
DATE: January 30, 2017
Sustainable Community Coordinator Cori Burbach is providing follow-up to the
presentation made to the City Council by Loras College students at the December 6
City Council meeting.
In 2010, the City Council first explored action related to the reduction of single-use
plastic bags in Dubuque. In 2011, a taskforce comprised of City and Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) staff, retailers, and a local recycler
met to develop a set of actions that could be taken to voluntarily reduce consumer
plastic bag use. The task force recommended a multi-media education campaign, retail
employee training, and other outreach to reach a voluntary 90% reduction in bags
purchased in Dubuque by 2017.
In December 2014, staff presented an update to Council in a Sustainable Dubuque
quarterly work session. The report detailed difficulty in gathering data from retailers
regarding plastic bag use. The report recommended extending the 90% reduction
target to 2021.
At varying points during this time frame, a Sustainable Dubuque intern and
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC) members have approached
large retailers in the community, asking them to voluntarily share bag distribution data
and information on reduction efforts. Very little information has been shared through
these outreach efforts. The retailer education package and window clings have been
available on an as-requested basis.
Following the City Council's recent request at the November 21, 2016 meeting to
research options to reduce use of the single-use bags, City Attorney Crenna Brumwell
researched the legality of instating some type of fee, tax, or ban as proposed by Loras
College students.
The implementation of a fee by the City for single use plastic checkout bags would
necessarily be classified as either a fee or a tax. The difference between a tax and a
fee under the law is important.
Iowa Code 364.3 (4) address a city's authority to impose a tax,
"A city may not levy a tax unless specifically authorized by a state law."
In reviewing code sections where municipal taxes are authorized a tax related to single
use plastic checkout bags is not covered in the legislation. Imposition of a fee classified
as a tax would be an illegal tax.
If a surcharge for bags is implemented as a fee the fee must meet the requirements
resulting from the Iowa Supreme Court Kragnes franchise fee case for which there was
a parallel case in Dubuque.
The City must be able to show the fee, regardless of who collects and keeps it,' is
related to the City's cost of oversight, administration, regulation, supervision, and
enforcement of the specific activity, occupation, or transaction. The fee cannot be more
than the City's expense.
Sustainable Community Coordinator Cori Burbach is recommending that a ban, tax, or
fee on single-use plastic bags not be established. City Council direction is requested
regarding further staff dedication to voluntary efforts. Those efforts could include, but
are not limited to, reestablishing the retailer task force on plastic bag use, outreach to
retailers regarding staff training and marketing, and consumer education. These efforts
would likely require some funds for materials, and more importantly, staff time.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Zs &4.4 .
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
2
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
3
THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBE I
erica .i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
SUBJECT: Follow-up Information Re: Plastic Bag Reduction Strategy
DATE: January 27, 2017
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on staff research and efforts
regarding the reduction of single-use plastic bags in our community. The memo is a
follow-up to the presentation made to the City Council by Loras College students at the
December 6 Council meeting.
BACKGROUND
In 2010, the City Council first explored action related to the reduction of single-use
plastic bags in Dubuque. In 2011, a task force comprised of City and Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) staff, retailers, and a local recycler
met to develop a set of actions that could be taken to voluntarily reduce consumer
plastic bag use. The task force recommended a multi-media education campaign, retail
employee training, and other outreach to reach a voluntary 90% reduction in bags
purchased in Dubuque by 2017. (see attached 6.3.11 memo)
In December 2014, staff presented an update to Council in a Sustainable Dubuque
quarterly work session. Progress at the time included:
1. Creation of a retailer employee education package, with staff training video
including tips on how to reduce plastic bags distributed (available at
www.cityofudubugue.org/plasticbags),
2. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) window clings,
3. Showings of Bag It! movie at schools and Mindframe Theater, and
4. Support of community efforts, like a Lenten Plastic Bag Fast at Resurrection
Parrish.
However, the report detailed difficulty in gathering data from retailers regarding plastic
bag use. The report recommended extending the 90% reduction target to 2021.
An improvement package for consumer outreach was submitted, but not funded, in
FY2016.
At varying points during this time frame, a Sustainable Dubuque intern and
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC) members have approached
large retailers in the community, asking them to voluntarily share bag distribution data
and information on reduction efforts. Very little information has been shared through
these outreach efforts.
Given limited staff resources, and the topic falling off of the City Council priority list, the
retailer education package and window clings have been available on an as-requested
basis.
DISCUSSION
Following the City Council's recent request to research options to reduce use of the
single-use bags, City Attorney Crenna Brumwell researched the legality of instating
some type of fee, tax, or ban. She provided the following explanation of challenges:
A plastic bag fee was proposed by Loras College students recently. The students
recommended a bag fee be instituted on single use plastic checkout bags.
The implementation of a fee by the City for single use plastic checkout bags would
necessarily be classified as either a fee or a tax. The difference between a tax and
a fee under the law is important.
The Iowa Supreme Court has long held a tax is a charge to pay the cost of
government without regard to special benefits conferred. Consistent with this
definition, the regulatory and service fees permitted under Iowa law are based on a
special benefit conferred on the person paying the fee.
Fees enable government administration of a specific activity, occupation, or
transaction to the benefit of those engaged in the activity, occupation, or
transaction. Therefore, fees designed to cover the administrative expense of
regulating the specific activity, occupation, or transaction are not taxes.
Consequently, any municipally imposed fee must be calculated to cover the cost of
regulating the specific activities, occupations, or transactions.
The Iowa Constitution, in Article III, Sec 38A grants municipalities home rule power
and authority, not inconsistent with the laws of the general assembly. This allows
cities to determine local affairs and government, except cities do not have the
power to levy any tax unless expressly authorized by the general assembly. Iowa
Code 364.3 (4) address a city's authority to impose a tax,
"A city may not levy a tax unless specifically authorized by a state law."
In reviewing code sections where municipal taxes are authorized a tax related to
single use plastic checkout bags is not covered in the legislation. Imposition of a
fee classified as a tax would be an illegal tax.
2
If a surcharge for bags is implemented as a fee the fee must meet the
requirements resulting from the Kragnes franchise fee case for which there was a
parallel case in Dubuque.
The City must be able to show the fee, regardless of who collects and keeps it,* is
related to the City's cost of oversight, administration, regulation, supervision, and
enforcement of the specific activity, occupation, or transaction. The fee cannot be
more than the City's expense. Fee must be evaluated and calculated very
carefully and likely would require the use of a consultant/actuarial company
specializing in this type of work. The analysis is the same whether the fee comes
to the City of goes directly to the stores, as the fee would be required by the City.
*Some communities researched have opted to require a per-bag fee, but allowed the retailer to keep the
fee as long as they could show they were collecting it.
In addition to the complications with instituting a fee City Attorney Brumwell describes,
the ultimate goal of a fee is to reduce, and eventually eliminate, plastic bags. Therefore,
the complicated process of justifying a fee structure would, ideally, not be a beneficial
use of time and resources.
RECOMMENDATION & REQUESTED ACTION
Given the reasons above, a ban, tax, or fee on single-use plastic bags is not
recommended. City Council direction is requested regarding further staff dedication to
voluntary efforts. Those efforts could include, but are not limited to, reestablishing the
retailer task force on plastic bag use, outreach to retailers regarding staff training and
marketing, and consumer education. These efforts would likely require some funds for
materials, and more importantly, staff time.
Cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Mary Rose Corrigan, Public Health Specialist
3
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB3i&'E AII-America City
1
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan, RN, Public Health Specialist
Cori Burbach, Sustainable Community Coordinator
Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator
SUBJECT: Retail Plastic Bag Elimination
DATE: June 3, 2011
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides staff recommendations regarding the City Council desire to
develop a checkout plastic bag policy to reduce, use and manage or eliminate their
disposal. The recommended approach does not include a ban on the use of plastic
bags.
BACKGROUND
In September 2010, the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission submitted a
communication to the City Council recommending the reduction/phase out of retail
plastic bag use in Dubuque. The Council voted to phase out checkout plastic bag use
and directed staff to devise a plan for doing so.
DISCUSSION
A City staff task force was formed to establish the process for meeting the Council goal.
Facilitated by Mary Rose Corrigan, members include:
• Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
• Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator
• Eric Dregne, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque/Dubuque 2.0
• Bev Wagner, DMASWA Solid Waste Educator
The task force gathered input from the community through a series of stakeholder group
meetings scheduled with local grocers, other retailers as recommended by the Chamber
of Commerce, and consumers and representatives of groups who have been tracking
the environmental impact of plastic bags (including but not limited to production and
cleanup costs and impact on local and natural habitats). The purpose of these
stakeholder meetings was to gather information regarding what current retailers and
other stakeholders are doing to reduce checkout plastic bag usage, track measurable
indicators, identify economic, environmental and social/cultural impacts, and dialogue
on how to move forward. Some local groups and businesses are already developing
their own initiatives, outreach and incentives to reduce overall plastic bag use.
1
Staff also researched various communities and jurisdictions that have implemented
plastic bag use policies, their scope, success, incentives, enforcement, etc.
Background on local and global impact of plastic bags
A variety of local experts and national studies provide the following rational for reducing or
restricting the use of single-use plastic checkout bags:
• The litter impacts on local natural ecosystems, especially creeks and streams
• Carbon footprint: Greenhouse Gas emissions in production, distribution and disposal
• Resource depletion of fossil fuels in production and transportation
• The ugly degradation of Dubuque's aesthetics and neighborhood sanitation systems
due to plastic bag litter
• The cost to retail customers and cost of litter cleanup to taxpayers and businesses
• The current cultural bias for short term convenience and disposability over sustainable
behavior change and consumer cost savings
• Impacts of Dubuque's share of plastic litter in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.
Consider these facts:
• Plastic bags are a major part of Iowa's $26,000,000 annual litter cleanup costs. Half of
these costs are incurred by the private sector to clean up their own properties with the
remaining half paid by various governmental entities.
• The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) has estimated that it
costs up to $30,000 annually to remove litter from the landfill premises and the Highway
20 approaches and entrance. Much of the cost is due to plastic bags blowing
everywhere. (See attached photos)
• Between 2 and 10% of plastic bags in the U.S. currently get recycled.
• It takes 15 to 1 ,000 years for plastic bags to break down depending on their location..
• The U.S. uses about 100 billion plastic checkout shopping bags annually at an
estimated cost to retailers of$4 billion.
• Manufacturing the plastic bags consumed yearly in the U.S. requires 12 million barrels
of oil equivalent.
• It costs about $1 ,000 to collect, store, transport and bale one ton of plastic bags
(112,000 bags), which can then be sold on the recyclables market for about $100.
• At least one million seabirds and marine mammals die each year by ingesting plastic
bag pieces which appear like potential food - especially in water.
• Growing "plastic islands or soups" in the five main oceans are made up of about seven
billion pounds of plastic trash and would measure about twice the size of Texas.
• Approximately two billion people live in cities and countries that have either banned or
added fees on checkout plastic bags.
Why these facts matter:
• Most plastic bags are made from fossil fuels (natural gas and crude oil) and their
production generates air pollution (greenhouse gas emissions) and depletes energy
resources.
• These plastic bags do not biodegrade, but photodegrade, meaning that as they are
exposed to light, they break into smaller and smaller pieces over time, but never totally
disappear nor do they ever "compost" into beneficial material.
2
• As plastic photo degrades it acts as a sponge for various toxins which accumulate in
greater concentrations. The potential exists for these toxins to then leach into soil and
water resources, contaminating them.
While the light weight of single use plastic bags has a convenience advantage, this same
advantage turns into a major disadvantage when they escape into the environment. Blown
around, plastic bags litter the local landscape, becoming an eyesore as they get caught in
trees, bushes, and fences. They can also clog drains creating major problems with erosion
and storm water runoff. Many of these bags end up in waterways, degrading our watershed
habitat and some eventually discharge into the Mississippi River finding their way to the North
Atlantic Ocean Gyre. As these bags blow, whether settling on land or in the water, some
animals become entangled in them, and can drown or can't fly as a result. In addition, pieces
of plastic bags are often mistaken for food by fish, birds, and other animals, and are ingested
along with the embodied toxics. These chemicals have entered the food chain and can result
in poisonings or death by starvation to the affected species.
Many people in Dubuque reuse plastic bags but overall this is a small percentage of the bags
disposed in the landfill. While some good recycling programs exist for plastic bags in
Dubuque, only about 2% to 10% of plastic checkout bags are actually recycled nationally. In
addition, the quality of plastic degrades each time it is recycled. Plastic from bags has a limited
life due to this loss of quality and cross contamination with other materials. This curtails the
demand for this type of recycled plastic for some products. Unless there is a specific program,
such as Build with Bags, where bags are processed into materials for other products (benches,
tables, etc.), many of these "recycled" bags are sent to third world countries where some get
burned, creating more air pollution, releasing toxins, and harming the health of local workers.
Trends in plastic bag reduction around the country and world
Staff reviewed the policies of over 15 US communities that have banned bags, numerous
communities that have developed incentive/disincentive programs, and an additional 40+ that
are considering bag bans or incentive programs. Most national plastic bag reduction programs
have been adopted fairly recently, with the oldest being San Francisco in 2007 and the most
recent being implemented this year (2011). Reuse is included as a bag reduction strategy.
However, recycling can be initially beneficial but is not a comprehensive long-term reduction
strategy.
Programs vary greatly as to the approach communities take to the issue, and include those
that:
• focus on educational efforts only,
• impose a bag "user fee ," or
• impose a plastic bag ban .
Most of the policies passed by US cities designate the city administrator/manager or specific
department to oversee the enforcement of the policy and levy fines as per their city codes.
Most policies define "bags" as thinner checkout bags; this excludes bags used for produce at
the grocery store or dry cleaning bags, for instance. Policies vary significantly when defining
which retailers the policy applies to; the most specific policies place regulations on grocers
only, while the broadest apply to every retailer in the city.
3
Most communities see their plastic bag policy as a next step in a journey toward sustainability
they started a few years ago. Many also choose to implement the policy in phases, whether by
purpose, contents, size and thickness of bags or types and sizes of retailers. Many have some
type of educational outreach to citizens and/or retailers prior to the policy actually taking force.
With many of these policies being recently enacted, and some not taking force until later this
year, it has been difficult to obtain specific monitoring plans for various reduction policies: ban,
or bag fee. Most with mandatory reduction or recycling policies rely on retailers to keep
records of the amount recycled and to make periodic reports. See the attached Chicago
Department of the Environment as one example of a system that has been put in place.
Current Local Initiatives
In researching potential solutions to Council's directive, staff met with grocery store
representatives, Chamber members, other retailers, environmental groups, and other
stakeholders to collect information on existing community efforts as well as input on
recommended solutions, potential barriers to participation, etc.
The result of these meetings showed that many retailers, particularly grocers, have already
taken action to reduce the number of plastic bags their customers use. When retailers can
incent or remind customers to bring their own reusable bags, these result in decreased costs
for the retailer. Grocers have been particularly aggressive in incenting reusable bag use, with
several local stores offering $0.05 rebates for each reusable bag used to pack that customer's
purchases at checkout. Other stores, such as Aldi's and Sam's Club, have not offered plastic
bags, or any type of bag, as an option for some time. They report that customers are aware of
this policy, have changed their habits accordingly, and arrive at their stores with alternative
means to carry away purchases.
The Iowa Grocers' Association has also aggressively promoted the recycling of plastic bags
through the Build With Bags program. Individual stores collect customers' used bags;
backhaul them to their distribution outlets; and then ship them to a manufacturer where they
are sorted and recycled into outdoor furniture and recreation equipment. The recycling of bags
is not a viable long-term sustainable solution, as energy is still required to produce the bags
and a significant amount of energy goes into the recycling of the bags. However, staff
recognizes that it is a strong first step in the consumer education process and will work with
stores that include bag recycling as part of their reduction strategy. Many other retailers in
Dubuque offer collection locations within their stores and facilitate a bag recycling program.
Finally, since the Council's discussion on plastic bags at their September 2010 meeting, a
collaborative of local religious and environmental organizations have partnered to raise the
awareness of the effects of disposable plastic bags and remind residents to carry reusable
bags with them. A newly formed group, the Intercongregational Ecological Working Group
(IEWG) comprised of representatives from women's religious congregations in the area, took
on the coordination of a Lenten Plastic Bag Fast. Several groups throughout Dubuque,
including parishes and Wahlert High School, utilized study materials and created awareness
campaigns during Lent to encourage their members to reduce using plastic bags. In an effort
to further engage the community in the discussion, several local groups and Mindframe
Theater partnered to show the documentary "BAG IT: Is Your Life Too Plastic?" free to the
public (March 26 and April 2). Over 320 residents attended. This movie event was one of the
activities for Dubuque 2.0's Community Sustainability Challenge Game.
4
RECOMMENDATION
As evidenced by the actions of grocers, other retailers, and the general public since this
discussion was first brought up at the Council table, there is a public interest in reducing the
number of plastic bags used once and then discarded in Dubuque. Based on this and the
successful strategies of communities across the country in limiting plastic bag use, staff is
recommending a phased approach that begins with public education and engagement and
becomes increasingly more aggressive with the expectation that community groups,
consumers and retailers will reduce or eliminate the use of plastic bags without the need for a
City-enforced "ban."
Staff recommends the following phased approach to reduce plastic bag use in Dubuque. All
percentages would be based on a baseline of current bag use established in July 2011 . In the
language below, "bags" are defined as thinner checkout bags found at grocery stores, clothing
shops, and other retailers or commercial businesses. Smaller plastic "product bags" with no
handles, like those used for produce, would be allowed for public health reasons. Restaurants
may use plastic bags to package takeout food, but will be encouraged to find alternative
packaging methods.
Phase I Goal by July 1, 2012:
• 25% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by chain grocers and retailers
with a building footprint larger than 40,000 sq ft. (above Steve's Ace size)
City staff will work internally and with partners engaged in sustainability activities to conduct a
public outreach campaign that includes (1) education regarding the economic and
environmental impacts of plastic bags, (2) consumer education to reduce the demand for
plastic bags, and (3) retailer education to offer alternatives for lowering plastic bag use in their
stores. These efforts will support and build upon existing efforts of retailers and other
stakeholders. In addition, City staff will provide support to retailers in the form of a toolkit that
includes ideas for their own marketing materials and also one-on-one guidance on ways that
they can limit the use of bags in their stores.
Initial items that would be included in the retailer toolkit include the following:
• Multi-media logo, signs, messages
• Publicity for retailers implementing/participating
• Education/presentations/multi-media information on how to reduce/eliminate plastic bag
use
• Educational display to be used at community events and gathering places/stores, etc.
• Retail employee in-service training and monitoring to reduce the number of plastic bags
distributed (i.e. asking "Do you need a bag today?" or encouraging placing more items
in one bag)
• Other ideas from stakeholder groups
• Dubuque 2.0 will assist with education/marketing and toolkit development.
The primary performance metric would be tracking the number of checkout bags retailers
purchased. A City ordinance would require the chain grocers and the largest retail businesses,
larger than 40,000 square feet, to report this information to the Resource Management
Coordinator on a semi-annual basis; this information would be used to provide reports to City
5
Council. Businesses smaller than 40,000 square feet would be invited to report their own use
on an optional basis.
City public education efforts would recognize those retailers that achieved the highest
reduction rates and used the smallest total number of checkout bags per retail square foot.
A secondary performance metric would be tracking the number of customer-returned plastic
bags collected by retailers and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a product.
Retailers would report this information to the Resource Management Coordinator on a bi-
annual basis. City public education efforts would recognize those retailers that achieved the
highest recycling rates.
Phase II Goal by July 1, 2013:
• 60% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by chain grocers and retail
businesses larger than 40,000 sq ft;
• 26% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by middle-size retail
businesses between 16,000 and 39,999 sq ft.
City staff would continue a collaborative community education program with the goal of
reducing plastic bag demand and use without instituting a ban or tax. Businesses would
continue to be required to report on a bi-annual basis to the Resource Management
Coordinator, the number of bags purchased and distributed as well as customer-returned
plastic bags collected and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a product.
Phase III Goal by July 1, 2014:
• 76% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by the largest chain grocers
and retail businesses larger than 40,000 sq ft;
• 60% reduction by middle-size between 16,000 and 39,999 sq ft;
• 26% reduction by smaller-size businesses below 16,000 sq ft.
City staff would continue a collaborative community education program with the goal of
reducing plastic bag demand and use without instituting a ban or tax. Businesses would
continue to be required to report on a bi-annual basis to the Resource Management
Coordinator, the number of bags purchased and distributed as well as customer-returned
plastic bags collected and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a product.
Phase IV Goal by July 1, 2016:
• 76% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by chain grocers and retail
businesses larger than 16,000 sq ft;
• 60% reduction by businesses below 16,000 sq ft.
City staff would continue a collaborative community education program with the goal of
reducing plastic bag demand and use without instituting a ban or tax. Businesses would
continue to be required to report on a bi-annual basis to the Resource Management
Coordinator, the number of bags purchased and distributed as well as customer-returned
plastic bags collected and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a product.
Phase V Goal by July 1, 2016:
• 76% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by all Dubuque retail
businesses. Businesses would continue to be required to report on a bi-annual basis to the
Resource Management Coordinator, the number of bags purchased and distributed as well as
6
customer-returned plastic bags collected and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a
product.
Phase VI Goal by July 1, 2017:
• 90% reduction in bags purchased and distributed by all Dubuque retail
businesses. Businesses would continue to be required to report on a bi-annual basis to the
Resource Management Coordinator, the number of bags purchased and distributed as well as
customer-returned plastic bags collected and shipped to a manufacturer for recycling into a
product.
It is staff's expectation that given current efforts to reduce bag usage, the community's existing
support of sustainability initiatives, and national trends, Dubuque will be able to reach a 90%
reduction in plastic checkout bag use by July 1 , 2017.
Throughout this process, staff will review bag use rates to determine whether these
progressive targets are being reached on a voluntary basis. If it does not appear that these
goals are being achieved, staff will present to Council an increased public education budget for
this initiative. This budget could include funding for increased demand reduction education or
competitive game strategies to reduce use, for example.
In July 2016, staff will determine whether a 90% reduction can be reached by July 2017. If it
does not appear that this goal can be met, an ordinance requiring certain actions by
stakeholders/retailers to meet this target will be recommended. Based on current best
practices, it is anticipated that any ordinance would include the use of a plastic bag
incentives/disincentives/user fees. This policy, similar to the current "Pay As You Throw" solid
waste model, incents a reduction action without requiring a customer to reduce it.
Annual stakeholder meetings facilitated by City staff would identify strengths and weaknesses
of the current initiatives, barriers to retailers, and opportunities for future efforts.
The primary performance metric would be required semi-annual self-reporting by retailers of
type and number of checkout bag purchased for eventual distribution to customers. This data
will be used to generate trend lines on bags distributed to customers at check out.
Additional metrics useful in tracking the community's progress include the following:
1 . Types and monetary value of voluntary incentives offered by retailer partners to reduce
checkout bag use and/or increase recycling of plastic bags.
2. Promotion, marketing, signage and outreach by retailer partners related to reducing
plastic bag use.
3. Community initiatives to reduce plastic bag use.
4. Local governmental initiatives to reduce plastic bag use.
5. Tracking surveys reporting checkout plastic bags collected as greater, less or the same
at various regular litter clean-up locations by governmental, private sector and volunteer
groups.
6. Trend reports from periodic comprehensive waste assessments at the DMASWA landfill
specifically identifying plastic bags disposed as trash for landfilling.
7
Surnmary of timin of reduction tar ets
Retailer size 7/1/2011 7/1/2012 7/1/2013 7/1/2014 7/1/2015 7/1/2016 7/1/2017
Over 40,000 sq ft Baseline 25% 50% 75% 75% 75% 90%
establish
15,000-39,999 sq ft Baseline 25% 50% 75% 75% 90%
established
Under 15,000 sq ft Baseline 25% 50% 75% 90%
established
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
Community education retailer toolkit, printed materials, advertising:
FY12 $2,000.00
FY13 $5,000.00
FY14 $5,000.00
FY15 $2,000.00
A likely source for these funds is the DMASWA grant program.
REQUESTED ACTION
Approve the strategy outlined in this memo to reduce the use of single-use plastic checkout
bags by 90% in Dubuque by July 1 , 2017.
MRC/cj
8
ATTACHMENT 1
Retrieved 4/8/2011 from: http://www.chicobaa.com/t-track movement.aspxx and updated
from other research since this list was published.
SUCCESSFUL BAG BANS Himachal Pradesh, India
USA Islamabad, Pakistan
Baltimore, MD (partial ban) Italy
Brownsville, TX Kenya
Calabasas, CA Kerala, India
Edmonds, WA Leaf Rapids, Canada
Fairfax, CA Maharashtra, India
Long Beach, CA Manitoba, Canada
Los Angeles County, CA Mumbia (Bombay), India
Malibu, CA Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
Marin County, CA Canada
Marshall County, IA
Nova Scotia, Canada
Maui County, HI Oman
North Carolina Ontario, Canada
Palo Alto, CA (Partial ban) Paris, France
San Francisco, CA Quebec, Canada
Westport, CT Red Sea, Egypt
Rwanda
OTHER COUNTRIES Selangor, Malaysia
Ajman, UAE Sharjah, UAE
American Samoa South Africa
Bangladesh South Australia
Buenos Aires, Argentina Taiwan
Chandigarh, India Tanzania
China Uganda
Delhi, India Yangon, Myanmar
Dubai, UAE Zanibar, Africa
France
CONSIDERING A BAG BAN OR FEE
Aurora, CO Oahu County, HI
Bonita Springs, FL Phoenix, AZ
Forsyth, MO Portland, OR
Maryland Sunnyvale, CA
Miami, FL
Milpitas, CA Iqaluit, Canada
Nevada Northern Ireland
New Haven, CT Uganda
GENERAL REDUCTION EFFORT
Amarillo, TX Hollister, CA
Chicago, IL Homer, AK
Delaware Plymouth, USA
Spokane, WA
9
Texas (initiated educational program) Edmonton, Canada
Tuscon, AZ Isle of Wight, UK
Victoria, TX Sibu, Sarawak Malaysia
Singapore
OTHER COUNTRIES
SUCCESSFUL BAG FEES
USA Canberra, Australia
Connecticut Hong Kong, China
District of Columbia Melbourne, Australia
Fairbanks, Alaska New Zealand
Santa Monica, CA Romania
South Wales, UK
OTHER COUNTRIES Toronto, Canada
PROPOSED BAG BANS OR FEES
USA San Jose, CA
Annapolis, MD Santa Cruz, CA
Aspen, CO Seattle, WA
Athens-Clarke County, GA Taos, NM
Austin, TX Toledo, OH
Baltimore, MD USA National
Berkeley, CA West Bridgewater, USA
Boston, MA
California OTHER COUNTRIES
Colorado Abu Dhabi, UAE
Concord, MA Baa Atoll, Maldives
Connecticut Cebu, Philippines
Dallas, TX Edinburgh, Scotland
District of Columbia Fort McMurray, Canada
Encinitas, CA Guelph, Canada
Fairfield, CT Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Florida Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu India
Hawaii County, HI London, UK
Iowa City, IA Malta
Kaua'i County, HI Marshall Islands
Maine Petersfield, England
Marshall County, IA Philippines
Mobile, AL South Australia, Australia
Ocean City, NJ Vancouver, Canada
Oregon Wales
Pasadena, CA Winnipeg, Canada
Redlands, CA
BAG BAN DECLINED
EI Paso, TX
Manhattan Beach, CA
Oakland, CA—passed; overturned
Philadelphia, PA
Red Bank, NJ
Virginia
10
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
Sent:Saturday, February 11, 2017 3:39 PM
To:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:"Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name:
Address: 1959 LINCOLN AVE
Ward: 3
Phone:
Email: Kobliska784@gmail.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Sorry to disturb you again, I just have another quick question regarding the plastic bag debate. As a citizen, am I in any
position to propose a counter plan to council or is that left to someone else? If so, I would like to know if I have any limitations. Also
if you have a link or a pdf of what the city is allowed to spend and do, that would be greatly appreciated too. My best regards, Mason
Kobliska.
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1
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
Sent:Wednesday, February 08, 2017 1:46 PM
To:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:"Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: JoEllen Reed
Address: 3175 Pennsylvania Ave Apy 216
Ward:
Phone: 563-582-7870
Email: sweetjojo100@yahoo.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Dear Mayor and City Council, I appreciate all you do for our city and your concerns for our environment. I am writing about
banning plastic bags. Please don't. I live in a very large apartment building for those past age 55. We have a garbage bin and recyling
bin in our garage. I use plastic bags to take down my garbage, newspaper, and whatever I recycle. I also use them in my wastebaskets.
I never waste a plastic bag. If you ban plastic bags I will need to buy them, yet another cost I can't afford. Also, have you considered
what would replace them. You are educating the public and this is working. I know many, including myself, who take back any bags
not used. I also know I'm not alone in using plastic bags for many purposes. I would consider banning plastic bags to be overreach.
Respecfully, JoEllen Reed
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1
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
Sent:Tuesday, February 07, 2017 8:54 AM
To:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:"Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name:
Address:
Ward:
Phone:
Email: nobozojam@msn.com
City Department: City Council
Message: Couldn't a 5 cent per bag deposit like the current soda and beer can deposit be used for the plastic bag problem?
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1
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia@mycusthelp.net>
Sent:Saturday, February 11, 2017 9:50 PM
To:Kevin Firnstahl
Subject:"Contact Us" inquiry from City of Dubuque website
Contact Us
Name: Mason Kobliska
Address: 1959 lincoln ave
Ward: 3
Phone: 5634956309
Email: Kobliska784@gmail.com
City Department: City Council
Message: I'm writing this is regards to the upcoming decision to ban plastic bags in Dubuque. I would like to know if i would still
have a chance to speak of the subject during the next city council meeting or if it is too late. I was not capable of getting to the last one
(On the 6th) but hope to get to the meeting on the 20th. Any response or feedback would be greatly appreciated. My best reguards.
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1