POLL: State Sen. Maralyn Chase Seeks Statewide Ban of Plastic Bags

In 2009, Edmonds became the first city in Washington state to  in grocery stores. In the near future, the entire state may have the ban, and it only makes sense that the battle is being waged by Edmonds’ Sen. Maralyn Chase, who represents the 32nd District, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

Chase has introduced Senate Bill 5780, which would ban the use of “carry out” bags given to customers at the point of sale. Other types of bags would still be permitted, including those used for meat, vegetable and dairy products, among others.

The bill is the subject of a public hearing Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Environment Committee.

Chase’s bill isn’t the only one legislators will have in front of them. According to The Seattle Times, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbons, D-Burien, is also submitting a version of the bag ban in the House of Representatives.

Edmonds’ ban became effective Aug. 27, 2010, and the city is still the only one in the state where the ban is active. Similar bans in ,  and  have passed and will be implemented later this year.

At this point, bag bans have slight differences. Seattle's ban, for example, includes a 5-cent fee on the use of paper bags from stores. It is set to take effect in July. Edmonds does not have the fee.

Take our poll below. 

Last time we asked this question, 56 percent of you said, "Yes, we need to protect the environment," 37 percent said, "No, I already recycle and do other things for the environment," and 5 percent said, "I'd rather blanket a landfill than pay for the bags."