Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Recommendation from Environmental Sustainability Board on Proposed Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance
Recommended Action
I move that Council thank the Environmental Sustainability Board for their work, accept their recommendation and take no further action.
OR
I move that Council direct the County Manager to bring back a single-use plastic bag ordinance as included as Attachment B for Introduction and Public Hearing to a future Council meeting no later than ___________.
OR
I move that Council direct the County Manager to bring back a single-use plastic bag ordinance included as Attachment B as amended _______________________________ for Introduction and Public Hearing to a future Council meeting no later than ___________.
OR
I move that Council ask Council Chair to create a Single-Use Plastic Bag Council Working Group to ____________________.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
At the July 16, 2026, ESB meeting the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that County Council not adopt the draft ordinance and authorize the ESB Chair to work with staff to prepare a memo summarizing the Board’s concerns.
Body
The final recommendation regarding the proposed plastic bag ordinance will be presented to Council.
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.
On 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, a motion was made by Councilor Cull, seconded by Councilor Neal-Clinton, that the County Council direct the Environmental Sustainability Board to propose a plastic bag ban for Los Alamos based on other communities in New Mexico and return to council with-in 90 days with a proposal, with a preference for no 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.
At the May 21, 2026, ESB meeting, the working group presented the proposed ordinance to the ESB. The Board requested some changes to the ordinance regarding purpose and definition of reusable carryout bag.
On June 18, 2026, the ESB accepted the proposed ordinance that included the requested changes (Attachment B).
On July 16, 2026, the ESB held a public meeting to provide an overview of the proposed ordinance (Attachment A), gathered public input, revisited the history of the plastic bag work in Los Alamos County (Attachment C), and reviewed public comments (Attachment D). The Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that County Council not adopt the draft ordinance and authorize the Chair to work with staff to prepare a memo summarizing the Board’s concerns (Attachment E). The ESB meeting on July 16, 2026 can be viewed at this link: https://losalamos.granicus.com/player/clip/4834?view_id=2&redirect=true
Attachments
A - Presentation of Proposed Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance
B - Proposed Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance
C - Plastic Bag Ordinance and Historical Context and Current Perspectives
D - Public Comments on Proposed Single-Use Plastic Bag Ordinance
E - Memo Regarding Proposed Plastic Bag Ordinance