Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Recommendation from Environmental Sustainability Board on Plastic Bag Ban
…Recommended Action Motion
I move that the Environmental Sustainability Board recommend the proposed the single-use plastic bag ordinance be presented for public engagement and comment as presented.
OR
I move that the Environmental Sustainability Board recommend the proposed the single-use plastic bag ordinance be presented for public engagement and comment
with the following changes: _______________________________.
Body
The Plastic Bag Working Group will present the proposed single use plastic bag ordinance to the Board for their review and input. The Board will be asked to make a recommendation on the proposed single-use plastic bag ordinance.
History
During the January 14, 2025, Los Alamos County Council meeting, they requested the ESB to “Evaluate single use plastic bags to include factors such as ability to recycle and other alternatives and cost to County to recycle and engagement to include local businesses and other interested parties.” The Environmental Sustainability Board adopted this initiative in their 2025 Work Plan and since then, the ESB formed a working group, consisting of Chair Shannon Blair and members Hermann Geppert-Kleinrath and Rebecca Paley-Williams. The working group has spent the past couple of months researching and interviewing other municipalities that have adopted a plastic bag ordinance. The working group will provide an update to the ESB and the board will make a recommendation to provide County Council.
In October 16, 2025, Chair Blair presented the findings of the research to Council and asked for further direction and guidance on community engagement.
During the April 7, 2026, Los Alamos County Council meeting, Council directed the Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) to return within 90 days with a proposal for a single-use plastic bag ban informed by other programs in New Mexico. The language presented here reflects the general substance of Council’s direction and is not a verbatim quotation of the motion. Council also expressed a preference for an approach that does not include a mandatory fee. While not formally included in the motion, Council indicated that community engagement should be incorporated into the process.
On April 16, 2026, ESB meeting, Chair Hampton appointed a working group consisting of Vice-Chair Erik Loechell, Member Shannon Blair and Member Jack Grow. They will provide regular updates to the ESB on progress made toward the development of the single-use plastic bag ordinance.
On May 21, 2026, the plastic bag working group reported they developed a draft ordinance and it was submitted to the County attorney for their review and revision.
Attachments
A - Proposed Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance