Interfaith Environmental Network Endorses Paper & Plastic Bag Ban
Austin's Interfaith Environmental Network (IEN) just announced its support of a resolution by the Central Texas Zero Waste Alliance (CTZWA), which would authorize the City of Austin to ban the use of single-use plastic and paper bags. The IEN is also calling on the City to help low income Austinites transition into routine use of reusable bags.
The IEN's statement:
“Interfaith Environmental Network of Austin supports the passage of a city ordinance requiring the ban of single-use bags. IEN further calls on the City of Austin to incorporate this ordinance in the city’s Zero Waste Master Plan, and to develop a mechanism for directing solid waste disposal cost savings secured by the ordinance to a program to make reusable bags available to low-income Austin residents.”Mayor Lee Leffingwell already supports banning single use plastic bags (see his blog). And according to the Austin American-Statesman, City Council voted unanimously "to direct city staffers to begin writing a ban with the help of retailers, environmental groups and others. . . The ban and a plan to gradually phase (the ban) in will be presented to the council by November....the CTZWA resolution will push for more."
With the adoption of this resolution in the form of a city ordinance, Austin will be joining other cities across the state and the globe that have recognized the severity of this issue. Cities in Texas that have already adopted similar ordinances include Brownsville (effective January 2011), Ft. Stockton (effective September 2011), and Padre Island (effective January 2012). Read the IEN's blog about its endorsement here.
IEN Steering Committee, 2010.
Chris Searles
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