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<br /> WHEREAS, it is in the City's interest that contamination in local compost be reduced to ensure
<br /> local compost is marketable and viable for use in local gardens,farms,landscaping, and surface
<br /> water and transportation projects; and
<br /> WHEREAS, in order to reduce the use of single-use plastic and paper carryout bags in the City,
<br /> it is necessary to regulate such use; and
<br /> WHEREAS,the City Council solicited feedback and comments from residents and businesses,
<br /> and considered various studies,reports, articles, and other references,including,but not limited
<br /> to: Seattle Bag Ban Update Memorandum, City of Seattle(2016);Discussion of Plastic Carryout
<br /> Bag Regulation Alternatives, City of Shoreline(2013);Plastic Bag Staff Report, City of
<br /> Kirkland(2013);Reducing Our Use: Plastic Shopping Bags, Thurston County(2012);
<br /> Assessment of the Potential for Cross Contamination of Food Products by Reusable Shopping
<br /> Bags,D.Williams, C. Gerba, S.Maxwell,R. Sinclair,Food Protection Trends V.31,No. 8 508-
<br /> 513 (2011);The Evolution of San Francisco's Plastic-Bag Ban, Jennie Reilly Romer, Golden
<br /> Gate University Environmental Law Journal, 1 Golden Gate Envt'J L.J. 439 (2010); and The
<br /> Most Popular Tax in Europe?Lessons From the Irish Plastic Bags Levy,F. Convey, S.
<br /> McDonnell, S.Ferreira,Environ Resource Econ(2007) 38:1-11; and
<br /> WHEREAS,regulations that prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and require a
<br /> pass-through charge on all carryout bags will encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable
<br /> carryout bags,reduce the cost of solid waste disposal by the City, and protect the environment;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS,the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare
<br /> of the citizens of the City to regulate carryout bags;
<br /> NOW,THEREFORE,THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN:
<br /> Section 1.
<br /> Definitions.
<br /> A. "Compostable" means that the product completely breaks down into a stable product due to
<br /> the action of microorganisms in a controlled, aerobic commercial process that results in a
<br /> material safe and desirable as a soil amendment meeting the compost quality standards found
<br /> under WAC 173-350-220 (as currently enacted or later amended)for metals,physical 1
<br /> parameters,pathogens,manufactured inert material, and other testing parameters set by the local
<br /> Health Department,has been found to degrade satisfactorily at the composting facility receiving
<br /> the material, meets standard specification ASTM D6400, and has been certified as compostable
<br /> by the Biodegradable Products Institute or similar national or international certification authority.
<br /> B. "Carryout bag"means any bag that is provided by a retail establishment at the check stand,
<br /> cash register,point of sale or other point of departure to a customer for use to transport or carry
<br /> away purchases such as merchandise, goods or food from the retail establishment. Carryout bags
<br /> do not include:
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