While Fort Frances continues to discuss a ban on the use of plastic shopping bags, Minneapolis and Duluth are now forcing retailers to charge customers for plastic bags.
The two cities adopted ordinances as fees because the state Legislature enacted a preemption law prohibiting plastic bag bans.
Jennie Romer, founder of ‘PlasticBagLaws.org,’ says despite roadblocks at the state level, cities will work around them.
She points to Colorado as an example.
“The Denver City Council just went forward with a 10 cents fee on all bags as well, in order to get around that preemption on bans,” says Romer. “So, they ended up with what we consider a very good policy by trying to get around preemption.”
Romer sees the Minneapolis 5 cent fee having some teeth because it applies to both plastic and paper.
The Duluth ordinance covers only plastic bags.
Meanwhile, retailers are feeling pressure to stop using plastic bags. A recent petition drive called on Minneapolis-based Target to ditch them.
Romer says retailers are mindful of customer concerns about the impact plastics have on the environment.
“Not only with bags, but some retailers have come out with commitments to make all of their packaging recyclable by a certain period,” says Romer, “or contain a certain amount of recycled content.”
However, there’s still pushback at the retail level. The Minnesota Grocers Association voiced concern about the disadvantages fees could create for supermarkets.
The group says customers should have a choice at the checkout lane, and retailers can provide more education about sustainable options.
