Regulation of Plastic Bags
Ordinance:
11-22
Description:
The City Council adopted the ordinance regulating plastic bags in an effort to reduce the impacts these bags have on the environment. For a year, it has been voluntary, but beginning on January 1 2012, the "Regulation of Plastic Bags" will become mandatory. South Padre Island is surrounded by water and this ordinance will protect all marine creatures by banning distribution of plastic bags at the point of sale.
"Recyclable Paper Bag" means a paper carryout bag provided by an affected retail establishment to a customer at the point of sale for purposes of transporting groceries or other goods and meets all of the following requirements:
- contains no old growth fiber
- 100% recyclable
- contains a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content
- displays the words "Reusable" and/or "Recyclable" and/or the universal recycling symbol which is an internationally recognized symbol used to designate recyclable materials in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag
- provide documentation to show that the point of sale bags meet or exceeds the first 3 requirements
The following items are exempt from this Chapter:
- Paper bags provided by restaurants for food carry-out purposes
- Paper Bags provided by pharmaceutical departments of businesses. Or by veterinarians, for the purpose of containing medications or other prescriptions, or other medical necessities provided by said pharmacies or veterinarians
- Paper bags provided for the containment of carry-out beverages
- Paper bags commonly provided for liquor sales
- Garment or laundry bags made from any material
- Plastic bags provided to effect food safety for a purchaser of food by preventing contamination from any cooked, chilled or frozen food purchased
Effective Date:
January 1, 2012
Violation:
Any violation of the above amended sections of Chapter 12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of South Padre Island or failure to pay the same may be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense or for each day such offense shall continue and the penalty provisions of Section 21-1 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby adopted and incorporated for all purposes.
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