Ban on plastic bags in Logan tabled until March

After two hours of discussion and debate, Logan City Council members will wait until March before voting on a proposed ordinance that would ban single use plastic bags within the city.

The council chambers and lobby area were filled to capacity Tuesday night during a public hearing on the ordinance.

Councilman Herm Olsen proposed the ban last December, claiming disposable single use plastic bags increase litter, and adversely impact wildlife, water quality and landfill operations.

Residents for and against the ban took turns explaining their position on the issue.

Logan High School senior Wesley Carter said he supports the bag ban, “because it will help our city reduce its plastic consumption and waste.” He said, “If we want to improve our environment in the long run, we need to start changing our consumption habits today.”

Christy Hyden works at the Logan City Landfill in the scale house as an attendant. She says there are days when a slight breeze will carry a plastic bag over the top of the transfer station, “and get blown off in the distance to the Cutler Reservoir or into the lakes.” She added, “We have an issue with plastic bags. It is something we need to be working on. I would like to see Logan City be the leader for Cache Valley.”

A number of people agreed with Carter and Hyden and expressed a desire for other municipalities as well as Cache County leaders to implement the same ban.

Mary DeSilva brought several examples of durable reusable bags and other residents suggested ways the community could come together to donate reusable bags for those who may not be able to afford them.

Others spoke out against the ban, including small business owner Julie Gortler. She said “I looked into getting paper bags and they were very, very expensive.” She said the potential for additional costs keeps her awake at night.

Tony Peacock agreed, “I think the penalties are draconian in this ordinance.” He said, “The brick and mortar stores around this city are suffering and suffering huge. I think this is a business killer.”

As an alternative to adopting the ban, the council discussed charging businesses a fee for plastic waste collection.

Environmental Department Director Issa Hamud was asked by council members to look into the feasibility of implementing a plastic management program that would include surcharges for businesses or industries.

The ordinance will come before the council again on March 19.

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2 Comments

  • One who knows February 6, 2019 at 10:43 pm Reply

    Typical, wait until the public majority, that doesn’t want this, are not paying attention so they can force this stupidity on us

  • Rozann February 16, 2019 at 6:43 am Reply

    Plastic bags are reused for a ton of things. But it doesn’t matter if they weren’t! Our local Government is completely over the line on this one. Wish I could say this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of, but unfortunately they have been a lot dumber.
    The government shut down should have extended to these people as well and it should stay shut down! All the local and federal government does is come up with new ways to butt in and hurt the people.
    If a person doesn’t want to use plastic then they aren’t forced to. Don’t force me, and others to use your silly “reusable” bags! Like I said in the beginning, everyone reuses the plastic bags for a million reasons. The best thing about them is that they are disposable so you don’t need someone to return your special grocery bag if you need to send them home with something! You can tie a dirty diaper in them and save on the expense of those PLASTIC!!!??? diaper baggies! You can use them as small garbage bags and save on the expense of buying garbage sacks! Wait a minute… does Herm Olsen have stock on the garbage bag industry?
    Leave us alone government. Don’t worry. We can handle our lives a whole heck of a lot better without you.

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