Dubuque to Bag Proposed Plastic Bag Ordinance

It appears Dubuque is ready to bag plans for a proposed ordinance controlling plastic bag use.

City staff are now encouraging the council to create a plastic bag task force instead.

The ordinance would have forced retailers to keep track of how many plastic bags they give out to customers.

City leaders still plans to eliminate nearly all plastic shopping bags within the next five years. But instead of forcing the issue, they're considering a different approach.

Sustainable Community Coordinator Cori Burbach said, "we want to do some consumer education to decrease the demand and then workers with retailers of how they can reduce their use too. "

The city would instead rely on retailers like Hy-Vee to encourage customers to use cloth or canvas bags.

Northwest Arterial Hy-Vee Store Director Chuck Donnelly said, "we give back nickels for every reusable bag they come in and use versus using one of our plastic bags. "

Hy-vee stores put plastic bag recycling bins near the doors. Shoppers stuff the bins full several times each day. Managers say that's at least a step in the right direction.

Donnelly said, "re-use them whenever you can. But the ones you aren't going to use, don't throw them in the garbage, bring them to the store and we will recycle them for you."

City staff is also considering creating a plastic bag task force to help educate customers.

Money for that effort would come from the city's recycling program budget.