Flagstaff Looking At Alternatives To Banning Plastic Bags

By Katherine Fritcke
Published: Monday, March 16, 2015 - 11:25am
Updated: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - 8:27am
(Photo courtesy of Rhia Schaudt-Hobkirk)
Tempe still wants to encourage supermarkets to limit the distribution of single-use plastic bags.

The city of Flagstaff is looking at alternatives to implementing a recommended ban on plastic bags.

Interim Flagstaff City Manager Jeff Meilbeck will now present another option to the City Council from the city’s Citizen Advisory Committee.

“Our advisory group recommended another go at education or recycling,” Meilbeck said. “But, this group also recommended some teeth, and that if recycling doesn’t work and achieve some measureable outcomes, we will move to a ban or a fee.”

A sustainability panel has already recommended a ban. Meilbrek said Flagstaff is an educated and engaged community and are looking at all possible solutions to the pollution problem.

A formal vote is schedule for mid-April. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been modified to reflect the replacement of the word “teeth” for “peace.”