Video: City leaders hope to rid Seattle of paper and plastic bags

Larger screen

SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels has proposed implementing a 20-cent "green fee" on disposable shopping bags at Seattle grocery and convenience stores.

He also wants to ban foam containers from the local food service industry.

Environmental groups applauded the announcement Wednesday morning, saying Seattle would be the first United States city to require fees for use of disposable bags.

If approved by City Council, the new measure would take effect January 1, 2009.

"The answer to the question paper or plastic is neither - both harm the environment. Every piece of plastic ever made is still with us," Nickels said. "The best way to handle a ton of waste is not to create it."

According to Seattle Public Utilities, roughly 360 million paper and plastic shopping bags are used in Seattle each year. That's the equivalent of about 8,500 tons of greenhouse gases.

SPU would collect roughly $10 million annually from the fee and about $2 million would help Seattleites make the transition to reusable bags. The rest will promote waste prevention and environmental education in the city.

The Styrofoam container ban would include items like trays, plates and beverage cups from restaurants and coffee shops. Nickels said cities across the nation are adopting similar policies and as a result, new compostable plastics are available.

AP

Isaiah McDaniel opens up a paper bag for groceries at PCC Natural Market Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, in Seattle.

Seattle businesses would be required to switch to compostable or recyclable substitutes by 2010.

A group known as Foam-Free Seattle is advocating for the change.

"We saw other cities around the country enacting polystyrene bans and we wanted to see our own city step up to the plate," said Ellie Rose, a spokesperson. "We are seeing immense public support for a polystyrene food container ban here in Seattle."