Oregon Plastic Bag And Straw Bans Considered By State Legislature

PORTLAND, OR – Around Oregon, more than one dozen cities have imposed restrictions on single use plastic bags and single use plastic straws. Now, the state is considering following in their footsteps.

On Wednesday, the state Senate's Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a first hearing looking into the possibility of a statewide tax on single use plastic bags.

The tax would be meant to discourage the use of the bags.

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The tax would be collected by retailers who would pass it on to the state's Department of Environmental Quality.

The department would use the money to start a Plastic Clean-Up and Recycling Fund. The state would be able to impose fines of up to $500 for a violation.

There would be exceptions for people who use Women, Infants and Children vouchers as well as those who use EBT cards.

The idea of some sort of plastic bag has been brought up in the legislature three times before – 2010, 2011, and 2012 – dying each time in committee.

The legislature is also looking at a possible ban on single-use plastic straws, a ban that would likely contain an exemption for people with disabilities.

Photo via Shutterstock.