Northwest

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Proposal would cost Seattle shoppers 20 cents for a plastic bag Associated Press SEATTLE -- Paper or plastic? Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and City Council President Richard Conlin say the answer is neither. The two are proposing a 20-cent fee on disposable shopping bags at the city's grocery, drug and convenience stores. Their plan also calls for a ban on foam take-home containers, plates and cups at restaurants. Conlin and Nickels say paper and plastic bags and foam containers are all bad for the environment, and they hope charging a fee will encourage people to bring reusable bags when they shop. The 20-cent fee per bag will be divvied up -- 5 cents for the retailer, 15 cents for the city. But retailers grossing less than $1 million a year will keep the entire 20-cent fee. Seattle Public Utilities estimates that 360 million disposable bags are handed out in the city every year -- most of them plastic.

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