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<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 include fees and
<br /> measures that encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable carryout bags or utilize other
<br /> environmentally-sound alternatives to conserve natural resources 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. "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:
<br /> 1. Bags used by consumers inside stores to package bulk items, such as fruit,vegetables,
<br /> nuts, grains,candy,greeting cards or small hardware items such as nails, bolts or screws, contain
<br /> or wrap frozen foods,meat or fish regardless of whether they are prepackaged, contain or wrap
<br /> flowers,potted plants or other items where dampness may be a problem, contain unwrapped
<br /> prepared foods or bakery goods, contain prescription drugs; or
<br /> 2.A bag used to protect a purchased item from damaging or contaminating other
<br /> purchased items when placed in a recyclable paper bag or reusable bag, such as prepared take-
<br /> out foods or prepared liquids intended for consumption away from the retail establishment; or
<br /> 3.Newspaper bags, door-hanger bags,tire bags, laundry-dry cleaning bags or bags sold
<br /> in packages containing multiple bags for uses such as food storage, garbage,pet waste or yard
<br /> waste.
<br /> 4. Paper bags which are smaller than one-eighth(1/8)barrel size (smaller than 882 cubic
<br /> inches).
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