Thursday, July 26, 2012

An Alaskan first?

Question: What was the first Alaskan community to ban plastic bags?

Answer: The earliest plastic bag ban I was able to find in Alaska was Galena, which did indeed ban them in 1998. According to their municipal code, which you can access by choosing Municipal Code at the Galena city website., Title 13.04.045 (A), “Plastic bags, used for carry out, in retail business shall be prohibited”. This refers to Ordinance 99-01, from 1998, for its authority. It seems like this might be the earliest such ban in the world. Does your Alaskan community ban their use? Do you know of an earlier one in Alaska or elsewhere? Please share in the comments.