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 ...
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