Councilwoman proposes citywide plastic bag ban, five-cent fee

News, Politics
City of Hiawassee

HIAWASSEE, Ga. –  With progressive, environmentally conscious Starbucks vowing to eliminate plastic straws from their 28,000 chains by 2020, a local leader strives to make progress of her own.

Hiawassee City Council convened for their monthly work session on Monday, July 30, and an item listed on the agenda contained a council member’s concern for the local environment.

Hiawassee Councilwoman Anne Mitchell proposed a citywide ban on plastic bags, or rather, a five-cent bag fee to reduce the volume of waste, charged to consumers via local merchants.

In an email circulated among council members prior to the work session, Mitchell stated her case.

“My proposal is that we, the city of Hiawassee, adopt a resolution that will put the responsibility where it belongs, and give folks the option of cooperating or paying. We would have to educate our citizens to the notion of supplying their own carry bags or paying for the plastic (or paper) bags if they are unwilling to bring their own,” Mitchell wrote, “Many governments have recognized the problem and have stepped up to create incentives to deal with it. Australia has banned the use of single use plastic bags. California has done likewise. Switzerland has them, but they cost five cents each, and so you carry your own bag or pay.”

Anne Mitchell

Hiawassee Council members Kris Berrong and Anne Mitchell at a previous council session

Hiawassee Councilwoman Amy Barrett attended Monday’s meeting prepared, armed with information to counter Mitchell’s proposal. Barrett relayed a barrage of information during the session, in opposition of Mitchell’s proposal. While Barrett conveyed that she, too, cares for the health of the environment, and believes Mitchell’s heart is in the right place, Barrett did not support the drastic measure proposed by Mitchell.

Barrett spoke with FYN post-session, and upon request, Barrett provided the “Learn the Facts” document that she had downloaded. The information which Barrett presented before the council claimed that alternatives which seem “greener” actually place a greater burden on the environment because they require more natural resources to produce and transport. The research states that ban and tax ordinances have never been successful at substantially reducing litter, waste, or marine debris. “What they have been shown to do is heap unfair costs on low and fixed-income families, and add more red tape to local businesses. The environment doesn’t benefit, and neither do people,” the study asserts.

“It isn’t the bags that are the problem,” Barrett told FYN, “Anything can be turned into litter. The issue is a lack of personal responsibility.”

In turn, Hiawassee Councilwoman Nancy Noblet, owner of local Noblet’s 5 & 10, objected to Mitchell’s proposal during the work session, saying that she is personally unwilling to charge customers for bags to carry their purchases.

“There will undoubtedly be weeping and wailing from customers and businesses alike. Change is like that. But if we initiate this, we can get a jump on what is bound to happen sooner or later. I vote for sooner. I would like to be at the head of the line instead of trailing along behind,” Mitchell proposed in the pre-session email, “Last week Starbucks announced that it was doing away with plastic straws in their stores worldwide. McDonalds is doing the same in many countries, U.S. included.”

Mitchell referenced litter clean-up initiatives within the county, and along the shoreline of Lake Chatuge. “This is a wonderful initiative by citizens, but it puts the responsibility on volunteers who probably wouldn’t throw out a gum wrapper,” Mitchell opinionated.

Council members Kris Berrong and Patsy Owens did not offer input on the proposal during the work session.

City Attorney Thomas Mitchell informed those in attendance that the city of Athens, Georgia, is in the process of potentially enacting a ban on plastic bags, and Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales told FYN the following day that she believes Hiawassee should follow Athens lead, and educate the public. Ordiales stated that the city of Hiawassee is currently not in a position to fully take on the matter, however.

In 2015, Georgia’s House narrowly rejected legislation that would prohibit cities and towns from restricting plastic bags and other “auxiliary containers.” Senate Bill 139 failed by a 85-67 vote that divided House Republicans.

At the time of publication, it is unknown whether a plastic bag ban, or fee, will appear on a future council agenda.

FYN intends to monitor developments.

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5 Comments

  1. Darrell Barrett August 4, 2018 at 6:55 am

    Thanks, Robin for great coverage!

  2. M.lovingood August 4, 2018 at 8:54 am

    What’s next I pick up a lot of beer cans and booze bottles in my yard and I don’t drink! We don’t need to add more to grocery prices give us a break.

  3. Dwanda Green August 4, 2018 at 10:30 am

    Thanks, Robin for covering this and making us aware. With the council consider allowing residents of Hiawassee to vote on this.

  4. MARK WOLCHKO August 4, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Oh Anne, your heart is in the right place, but your methods are borderline Socialist… Who will pay this tax? For what? who will be the beneficiary of these Tax Dollars? How exactly will this have a positive impact on our Environment? Instead of Taxing People, why not investigate a Recycling Program that could have a Positive Impact? Anything that upsets the Tourist Industry, our life-blood, is bad for Hiawassee and Towns County…

  5. Perry Bush August 7, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    I agree with Mark Wolchko Anne has her heart in the right place and I am sure Anne will understand. This is really a way to upset the citizens of Towns County and citizens of Hiawassee. I do believe most grocery stores have paper bags available if we are concerned just ask if not request them to try to have them available for citizens.whom would like to use them. This is going to have to be the personal responsibility of each and every concerned citizen. .

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