Plastic Bag Ordinance goes into effect

Albertson's shoppers are greeted with signs indicating that they are going plastic bagless and encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Pictured is Albertson's manager Darrell Britton. (Courtesy photo)

(Silver City, NM, 5 January 2015)

January 8 is the official enactment date for the Town of Silver City ordinance 1231 that restricts single-use plastic carryout bags. The ordinance only applies to the lightweight single-use plastic carryout bags at retail merchants within town limits. Restaurants are exempt from the ordinance. When the ordinance goes into effect stores will have the option of providing either paper bags, boxes or heavy-weight reusable plastic bags. Some stores are eliminating bags altogether.

Major stores such as WalMart and Food Basket will be using heavy-weight plastic bags that can be reused numerous times. They are also strong enough that they can hold more so customers will need fewer bags overall. Other stores like Albertson's, Walgreens, CVS, Sun Valley, and Ace will be using paper bags.

Most stores also offer reusable bags for sale and encourage shoppers to bring their own bag with them to the store. The Town has also been encouraging people to adopt the habit of taking a reusable shopping bag with them when they shop. Over 7000 reusable shopping bags provided by the Town of Silver City and PNM were distributed locally with the help of the Girl Scouts, The Volunteer Center and several local youths as a community service project. A few of these bags are still available at the Office of Sustainability, 1106 N. Pope St.

Most merchants contacted by the Office of Sustainability share the sentiment voiced by Albertson's manager, Darrel Britton. "It won't be too big of an inconvenience. Most of our customers will get used to it, plus we're seeing a lot more people bring their own bag with them."

The ordinance does not affect other types of plastic bags that are used in stores for food safety or specialty items such as from bulk bins. Grocery stores will still have plastic bags available for meat, produce and bulk food items. Stores will also continue selling the wide variety of packaged plastic bags they currently sell. You will still be able to buy sandwich bags, trash can liners and large trash bags.

Unlike California, where similar ordinances are common, there is no mandatory fee to the customers for the change from single use plastic bags. Instead Silver City Town Council left it to the discretion of each retail outlet whether they would charge for paper or heavy weight reusable plastic bags.

For additional information contact the Office of Sustainability at 575-519-8987.