Bill to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Dies in Committee

The Surfrider Foundation and their coalition partners will continue working within these and other cities throughout the state to implement local bag bans.

Photo: Surfrider Foundation

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today SB 536 – a bill that would have banned single-use plastic carryout bags statewide, failed to make it out of the Senate Rules committee.

“It’s frustrating to see the Senate fail to take action and pass this bill given how much of an economic and environmental impact these bags have on Oregon businesses and our beautiful state,” says Gus Gates, Surfrider Foundation’s Oregon Policy Manager.

Under SB 536, retail outlets would no longer have been able to provide plastic bags at point of sale, and would have instead been required to regulate the distribution of paper bags by charging a fee.

The passing of SB 536 would have been a monumental victory for the Surfrider Foundation and for its Oregon Chapters who have fought for years to eliminate plastic bags with their Rise Above Plastics program. The plastic industry in opposition had a well financed out of state lobby and misinformation campaign, while bag ban proponents invested in a broad, grassroots constituency throughout Oregon.

“While it’s disappointing to see our Senators fail to act with such strong local support,” says Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter representative Staj Pace. “At least we’ve been able to publicly call the industry to claim on some of their false recycling messaging.”

Many cities throughout the state have already expressed support for plastic bag bans, including Corvallis, Portland, Newport, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, West Linn, Beaverton, and the Metro Regional Government. The Surfrider Foundation and their coalition partners will continue working within these and other cities throughout the state to implement local bag bans.

About Surfrider Foundation:
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 60,000 members and 100 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org