California could become the first state in the nation to slap a ban on one-time use of plastic bags in stores. A bill outlawing them passed the State Assembly, and is expected to pass the State Senate. Could Texas be next?
There are more and more proposals being drawn up at the local and state level to ban or place a tax on plastic bags.
Critics say plastic bags are bad for the environment. Most are produced using oil, and, by some estimates, 90 percent end up dumped in a landfill or clogging up streams. Those free bags can also cost you money, even if you don't use them.
The Austin City Council wants to find out how much. Members passed a resolution directing the city manager to determine the cost to Austin taxpayers of processing plastic bags in the waste stream.
“In other cities they have found they cost tax payers up to 10 to 17 cents per bag,” said Ruben Hayslett a member of the Austin Zero Waste Alliance. “We want to see what that see what that looks like in Austin and come up with some green solutions.”
The city tried to cut the number of bags going into landfills in half with a voluntary program last year but very few people participated.
The City Manager has three months to report his findings to Council.
