Proposed Plastic Bag Ban Peeves C-Stores

Oregon proposal to ban single-use plastic bags in Mill City would inconvenience customers.

August 10, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Statesman-Journal reported last week that a proposed plastic ban in Mill City, Oregon, is not going over well with one local convenience store.

Circle K Stores Director of Marketing Steve Telson told the news source that the proposal has not been embraced by store owners, as it will inconvenience customers. "Convenience store customers do not usually bring recycle bags for a quick stop,” he commented, adding, “Additionally, many areas that have enacted this law, allow customers to purchase a paper bag for 10 cents if they desire a bag, which again is an inconvenience to our customers and a potential additional cost.”

The Oregon cities of Ashland, Corvallis, Eugene and Portland have already passed plastic bag ordinances similar to the one being considered in Mill City. Scott Dybvad, a sustainability program specialist in Corvallis, explained to the news source that the city’s plastic bag ban was rolled out in phases to give businesses time to comply. He noted that working with c-store owners was a significant part of refining that process. Dybvad commented that the ordinance has worked out well, but regrets that store cashiers were the ones who ended up dealing with angry customers.

Mill City is currently accepting feedback from residents and businesses as it considers whether to enact the single-use plastic bag ban.

"From a customer standpoint this is often a frustrating law," Telson told the new source. "As a retailer, it takes more space to store paper bags rather that plastic."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement