Proposal To Ban Throwing Away Plastic Bags Goes To Committee
Madison Alder's Proposal Will Get Further Review
Updated: 1:18 am CDT May 6, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- A plan that could change the way Madison residents throw away trash was introduced at Tuesday night's common council meeting.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe proposed ordinance to ban people from throwing unsoiled plastic bags in the garbage was not debated at the meeting. Instead, it was referred directly to the city's solid waste advisory committee, commission on the environment, and board of estimates for review.The proposal is sponsored in part by Alder Judy Compton, who represents residents on the city's East Side."Something as simple as this -- plastic bags -- is actually put way down on the list, when it should be a priority," Compton said. "So, we have all these grants and all these people doing research, but we're not down to the basic -- let's take away the harm we do to the environment."Compton's proposal doesn't include soiled plastic bags, and wouldn't stop stores from handing them out to customers."If you have (a bag in) a wastebasket and you have poured in fingernail polish remover and makeup and that's your bathroom trash can, it's dirty, throw it away," Compton said.She also said she would like to see a ban on using all plastic bags, but in researching the proposal found that's not fiscally feasible for grocers to comply. For example, it would force grocery stores to find specialty bags for customers to wrap small items like their fresh vegetables.Some residents said they agree with the concept."I think it's a good idea. I just can't imagine how they're going to enforce it," Madison shopper Jason Grosz said. "I'd almost be more for something that is enforceable like banning them entirely, and making everyone use reusable bags."The proposed ordinance does spell out fines beginning at $100 for a first offense and rising to $400 for a third offense within a single year.Compton said the city will investigate creating drop-off locations for plastic bags. She said the bags could be sold to companies that use them to produce decks and fences out of recycled plastic.However, her personal preference would be for curbside pick-up which she believes would be easier on everyone."Let's remove the harm, and the plastic bag is a very small thorn, but if you don't pick them out it’s only going to get worse," said Compton.Council members Brian Solomon, Mike Verveer, Bridget Maniaci and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said that they support Compton’s proposal.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe proposed ordinance to ban people from throwing unsoiled plastic bags in the garbage was not debated at the meeting. Instead, it was referred directly to the city's solid waste advisory committee, commission on the environment, and board of estimates for review.The proposal is sponsored in part by Alder Judy Compton, who represents residents on the city's East Side."Something as simple as this -- plastic bags -- is actually put way down on the list, when it should be a priority," Compton said. "So, we have all these grants and all these people doing research, but we're not down to the basic -- let's take away the harm we do to the environment."Compton's proposal doesn't include soiled plastic bags, and wouldn't stop stores from handing them out to customers."If you have (a bag in) a wastebasket and you have poured in fingernail polish remover and makeup and that's your bathroom trash can, it's dirty, throw it away," Compton said.She also said she would like to see a ban on using all plastic bags, but in researching the proposal found that's not fiscally feasible for grocers to comply. For example, it would force grocery stores to find specialty bags for customers to wrap small items like their fresh vegetables.Some residents said they agree with the concept."I think it's a good idea. I just can't imagine how they're going to enforce it," Madison shopper Jason Grosz said. "I'd almost be more for something that is enforceable like banning them entirely, and making everyone use reusable bags."The proposed ordinance does spell out fines beginning at $100 for a first offense and rising to $400 for a third offense within a single year.Compton said the city will investigate creating drop-off locations for plastic bags. She said the bags could be sold to companies that use them to produce decks and fences out of recycled plastic.However, her personal preference would be for curbside pick-up which she believes would be easier on everyone."Let's remove the harm, and the plastic bag is a very small thorn, but if you don't pick them out it’s only going to get worse," said Compton.Council members Brian Solomon, Mike Verveer, Bridget Maniaci and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said that they support Compton’s proposal.Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
