Ban on Plastic Single Use Carry Out Bags

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1 Ban on Plastic Single Use Carry Out Bags Ordinance No At the City Council meeting on October 15 th 2013, the City Council passed an ordinance that will ban single-use plastic bags in the City. This ban will take effect for grocery stores and food vendors on January 15, 2014 and for all remaining retail establishments on October 15, With the passage of this ordinance, The City of South Lake Tahoe is joining several other cities and counties who have already banned or have taken action to discourage the use of single use plastic bags for the protection of the environment and to promote sustainability principles. The City will be holding an informational meeting in the City Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 13 th at 5:30pm for business owners to learn about the new ordinance, answer any questions and get your feedback. Who: What: Where: When: Why: All Business Owners in the City of South Lake Tahoe Informational Meeting about the NEW Ban on Plastic Single Use Carry Out Bag Ordinance City Council Chambers 1901 Airport Rd., South Lake Tahoe Wednesday, November 5:30pm To explain the new ordinance to business owners, answer questions and get your feedback For more information visit us online at

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8 South Lake Tahoe City Ordinance No Ban on Plastic Single-Use Carry-Out Bags Frequently Asked Questions On October 15, 2013, the City of South Lake Tahoe adopted Ordinance 1061, which eliminates the distribution of single use plastic bags under the City s Code, Article VI, Chapter 23 entitled Ban on Plastic Single-Use Carry-Out Bags. Definitions: A Plastic Single-Use Carry-Out Bag is defined as a bag, other than a reusable carry-out bag or recycled paper bag, provided at the check stand, cash register, point of sale, or other point of departure for the purpose of transporting food or merchandise out of a retail establishment. A Food Vendor is defined as a business located within the City of South Lake Tahoe which sells perishable food products. This includes vendors at Farmers Markets. A Retail Establishment means any business conducting retail sales within or doing business within the geographical limits the City of South Lake Tahoe. Plastic single-use carry-out bags that do not include handles and are provided to the customer: (1) to transport produce, bulk food or meat department products within a store to the point of sale; (2) to hold prescription medication dispensed from a pharmacy; or (3) to segregate food or merchandise that could damage or contaminate other food or merchandise when placed together in a bag are excluded by this ordinance. Key Provisions of the Ordinance: The ordinance takes effect for grocery stores and food vendors on January 15, 2014 and for all remaining retail establishments on October 15, The ordinance bans the plastic single-use carry-out bags and paper bags which fall below 40% recycled content by retailers within the City of South Lake Tahoe.

9 South Lake Tahoe City Ordinance No Ban on Plastic Single-Use Carry-Out Bags Frequently Asked Questions pg2 History and Purpose of the Ordinance The City of South Lake Tahoe Sustainability Commission first considered the initiative of banning single use plastic bags in The City Council adopted a Sustainability Plan in 2008, which included the development of Zero Waste Policies and promotion of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Practices and adopted the Sustainability Commission s Work Plan, which included the initiative. A work program was launched in 2009, which included community forums and public workshops in 2010 and Informal updates on the progress of the initiative were presented to the City Council during Commission Reports. In November 2012, a draft ordinance on a potential ban of plastic bags was presented to City Council. Following discussion and City Council direction, the ordinance was amended and brought back to the City Council in the summer of The ordinance was further amended and adopted in October The purpose of the ordinance is to eliminate the plastic single-use carry-out bags because of the impact the plastic bags have on the environment. It is the City s intent to encourage residents, businesses and visitors alike to reduce the consumption of single use bags and utilize reusable bags. Compliance with Ordinance Future City Council meetings could include modifications to the ordinance to address issues and concerns determined through implementation of the ordinance. Compliance by grocery stores and food vendors is required by January 15, 2014 and for all remaining retail establishments and remaining non-profit vendors by October 15, Violations of the ordinance will result in an administrative citation. First violation will result in a citation providing the retailer 14 days to comply. Further failure to comply will result in a citation and imposition of fines, which will be set forth in a future resolution of the City Council. For more information visit us online at