Direct staff to write an ordinance that updates City Code that merchants charge a $.05 fee to customers for carryout bags and implement an outreach plan to inform residents and businesses of this requirement.
INTRODUCTION:
In 2022, City Council approved a work plan initiative for EEC to “Revise and update EEC’s 2017 report on possible recommendations for a plastic bag ordinance” with a deliverable of an “updated report with recommendation.”
The EEC used 2022 to recruit a working group of EEC members and additional interested community volunteers. The working group researched this topic and engaged recognized Green Businesses in Edina to gauge their understanding and interest in single-use bag regulation. The EEC received and approved the resulting report at their December 8, 2022 meeting. The EEC’s findings and recommendation are detailed in their report.
The EEC recommends that "the City require that merchants charge a $.05 fee to customers for carryout bags. EEC asks Council to direct staff to write an ordinance that updates City Code to include this requirement and implement an outreach plan to inform residents and businesses of this requirement."