Public Hearing on Plastic Bag Legislation

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners today scheduled a public hearing for new legislation that would ban the use of plastic carryout bags in unincorporated Thurston County with some exceptions, and would place a fee on paper bags. The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24 in Building One of the county courthouse complex.
The proposed ordinance comes on the heels of an announcement by Thurston County’s major waste and recycling collection provider, LeMay Incorporated, that they will discontinue collecting plastic carryout bags and other plastic film on October 1.
“This is not a decision commissioners take lightly, and public input on this proposed ordinance banning plastic bags is a critical part of our decision-making process,” said Thurston County Commissioner Cathy Wolfe, who is the commission’s representative on the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee. “That said, the end of plastic bag recycling later this fall means that we need to act, and the development of this ordinance is quite timely.”

WHAT: Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing on Proposed Plastic Bag Ordinance

WHEN: Tuesday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Room 280, Building One of County Courthouse at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia

For those who are unable to attend the September 24 public hearing, written comments can be emailed to Terri Thomas at ThomasTe@co.thurston.wa.us or mailed to Thurston County Board of Commissioners, Building One, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502.