Oregon Public Broadcasting

Alex Lewis / OPB

Plastic Bag Monsters

Environmental groups gathered  in downtown Portland Wednesday to urge the city to ban single-use plastic bags.

Mayor Sam Adams pledged the council’s support by guaranteeing a draft proposal by Friday.

Alex Lewis reports.

On the heels of Oregon legislators revealing they are considering a statewide ban on plastic bags, supporters made presentations to the city council on the environmental dangers of plastic bags.

They also presented a petition with more than 6000 signatures.

Alex Lewis / OPB

Portland Mayor Sam Adams with "Bag Monster"

Nastassja Pace is the chair of the Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.  Following the council meeting, she helped lead a rally outside City Hall.

Nastassja Pace: “We’re having a rally to show the city and the mayor of the city council members that we’re ready here as community of Portlanders supporting a ban on single-use plastic bags.”

Advocates of the ban argue the bags litter landfills where they harm marine life.  Opponents claim banning plastic bags will destroy important recycling infrastructure. They argue this would have unintended environmental consequences.

Mayor Adams did not reveal any details of Friday’s draft ordinance.  The city council is working with State Senator Mark Hass on their proposal.