Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Single Use Plastics
Recommended Action
I move that the County Council direct the County Manager to _____________in regards to Single Use Plastics Research.
AND/OR
I move that County Council direct the Environmental Sustainability Board to ____________________________.
OR
I move that County Council recommends taking no further action.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
At the October 21, 2025, ESB meeting a motion was made by Member Barns, seconded by Member Loechell, that the Environmental Sustainability Board forward the plastic bag research to Council for consideration and further guidance. The motion passed unanimously.
Body
On January 14, 2025, Los Alamos County Council requested the Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB), “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.” In response, the ESB included this effort in its 2025 Work Plan and established a working group, composed of ESB member Shannon Blair and former ESB members Hermann Geppert-Kleinrath and Rebecca Paley-Williams. The working group conducted research and interviewed other municipalities that adopted plastic bag ordinances.
On October 21, 2025, the ESB recommended forwarding the plastic bag research to County Council for consideration and further guidance. The ESB presented an overview of the research and recommendation to Council at the October 21, 2025, Council meeting. This presentation is shown in Attachment A. Due to the history of limited community support and the sensitive nature of this topic, the ESB indicated that additional Council guidance was needed before pursuing further engagement with businesses and community.
During the development of the 2026 Work Plan, the ESB requested direction from Council on whether to continue exploring a plastic bag ban and/or fee...
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