Video: Grocery group opposes plastic bag ban

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SEATTLE – While a proposed phase-out of plastic and paper grocery bags in Seattle cruises to a final vote next week, a powerful grocery association is arguing there's a better way.

The city's plan is to wean grocery shoppers from the bags by charging a 20-cent per bag tax, encouraging them to bring their own bags from home instead.

The grocers say they want to get rid of the bags too, but they would prefer a little more positive reinforcement.

"We would offer our customers a rebate," said Tyler Myers, Kress IGA Grocery, "at least five cents for every customer who comes and reuses their bags."

The Washington Food Industry and Independent Grocers Associations want the city to drop the stick and pick up the carrot as a way to coax shoppers to alternative bags during hard economic times.

"Their proposal is fine. We would love to have them implement it. We wish they had done it years ago. But it doesn't have the impact that our proposal will in really reducing that plastic pollution," said Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin.

Plastic bags are persistent pests that travel on breezes until they stick on fences, buildings or out in nature. Seattle and growing number of cities around the world say it's time to rid ourselves of an unnecessary blight.

The full Seattle city Council will consider disposable bag fee during its next meeting on Monday. Unless something changes, the grocers' plan will not be a part of that vote.

One group calling itself the Seattle Coalition for Responsible Recycling is running ads urging residents to fight the city's bag ban.