Please support the "Bag Bill" for a trash free Anacostia and a trash free community

This evening, The Advoc8te was very lucky to attend a special presentation by Councilman Tommy Wells on the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act of 2009.

The Councilman took special time to explain to a small (but dedicated) group of River East residents the details of the bill and encouraged questions and feedback.

This bill is a big step in the RIGHT direction to take significant steps to REDUCE waste in our community - in this case in the form of plastic bags that are not only an eyesore but are harmful to the Anacostia and wildlife.

To learn more about the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act and how it would have a wonderful impact on our community please visit, http://www.trashfreeanacostia.com/ .

Please take a moment and sign the online petition to support this wonderful initiative! Together we can make a difference!

FROM THE TRASH FREE ANACOSTIA WEBSITE:

Every year, 20,000 tons of trash enter the Anacostia River leaving a polluted, dirty and neglected river bordering our neighborhoods. According to the latest report, plastic bags, bottles, wrappers and Styrofoam make up 85% of the trash. In the tributaries of the Anacostia, such as Watts Branch, nearly 50% of the trash is plastic bags.

DC taxpayers spend millions every year cleaning bags and trash out of the Anacostia River. And soon, the EPA will establish heavy fines for the District every time trash exceeds its limit in the River — just about every time we have a heavy rain because of the city's outdated sewer system. The District has a great recycling program, but even with this, every bag recycled costs taxpayers money and bags still litter the River. The bags also cost stores money, raising the price of our groceries and other goods.

There's an alternative. Already, many stores sell low-cost durable, reusable bags. Some, like Giant, even give a credit if you bring back old bags instead of using new bags. Costco stopped offering bags years ago, and discount food stores like ALDI and Save-A-Lot, and even IKEA, charge customers a nominal fee for every bag — greatly reducing the number of plastic and paper bags used and encouraging customers to bring reusable bags. We need a small incentive to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags and to get cashiers to ask whether a bag is even needed.

New York, Seattle, and many European nations have already required, or plan to require, a small charge for plastic and paper bags. These initiatives have dramatically cut down on these single-use bags — by as much as 90% in some places. Councilmember Tommy Wells, along with many of his fellow Councilmembers, will be introducing a bill to place a nominal 5 cent fee for each plastic and paper carryout bag. The bill also requires that any single use carryout bags that stores use must be recyclable. The bill creates a new Anacostia River Fund that uses the fees to cleanup and protect the Anacostia River, transforming it into a positive, contributing asset where people feel safe to fish, boat, swim and enjoy.

This new initiative is great for the Anacostia River and great for our small businesses. We can take major steps to clean the Anacostia River on our watch, and businesses can be a part of the solution to reducing the number of bags that enter the trash and environmental streams. Reducing the number of bags used reduces the costs to businesses that provide the bags, and it saves taxpayers by cutting down on trash and recycling costs, environmental cleanup costs, and EPA fines.

Please tell your Councilmembers to support this bill for our environment, our health and our wallets.

What's the proposal?
Place a 5-cent fee, paid by consumer, on all disposable recyclable plastic and paper carryout bags from Retail Food Establishment license holders (including grocery stores, food vendors, convenience stores, drug stores, restaurants) and Class A & B liquor licensees.

Ban non-recyclable plastic carryout bags; require that if a plastic carryout bag is offered, that it must be recyclable and clearly labeled as such.

The retail establishment will get 1 cent of fee returned tax exempt to the retailer.
Retailers who choose to offer a carryout bag credit program will retain an additional cent, for a total of 2 cents per bag.

The remaining fee per bag will be deposited into a new Anacostia River Cleanup & Protection Fund.

Why a Fee?
Charging for bags properly places the cost on those who use them
Provides incentive to bring reusable bags and to refuse bags for small, consumable purchases.
What about low-income residents and seniors?

Before the fee takes effect, the city will conduct an intensive outreach campaign that includes not only public education, but also provides reusable carryout bags to residents for free. The city will work with service providers to distribute multiple reusable bags to seniors and low-income households.