City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend Chapter 2 (TAXATION) of Title 3 (FINANCE, TAXATION AND PROCUREMENT) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended by adding new Article Z (LOCAL DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAG TAX).
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ISSUE: Should the City impose a five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags to certain retailers?
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the proposed ordinance that authorizes the collection of five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags on first reading and schedule it for second reading, public hearing, and final passage on Saturday, September 18, 2021.
BACKGROUND: The General Assembly has adopted Virginia Code 58.1-1745 allowing localities to adopt ordinances that impose a tax in the amount of five-cents for each disposable plastic bag provided in grocery stores, convenience stores, or drugstores.
The production, use and disposal of single-use plastic bags has significant adverse impacts on the environment, and their light weight makes them particularly susceptible to air currents that land them in streets, gutters, abandoned lots, streams, rivers, and trees throughout the City. Plastic bags also contribute to a significant burden on the City's solid waste disposal and single stream recycling programs and the City pays a financial penalty as plastic bags are considered a contaminant in the recycling. The City has policy goals to conserve and recover resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and marine pollution and to protect the public health and welfare of its residents.
On January 12, 2019, City Council unanimously voted to adopt the WasteSmart Strategic Plan, a 20-year pla...
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