City of Talent gives first reading to ban single-use plastics

(UPDATED: 7/18/19 10:03 a.m.) TALENT, Ore. — City Councilors met Wednesday night for the first reading of an ordinance that would ban some single-use plastics.

The ordinance would prohibit restaurants and grocery stores from using single-use plastic food items, including all containers, bowls, plates, cups, lids, cutlery, stirrers, hinged or lidded containers, and other items that are designed for one-time use prepared foods.

The state legislature recently passed a number of similar bills including one prohibiting single-use plastic bags. Another bill passed bans restaurants and other food and beverage companies from giving out single-use plastic straws unless a customer specifically requests one.

“This ban and this momentum and this movement is about reducing waste especially from pervasive single-use plastics and about empowering consumers to consume consciously,” Emily Berlant, Talent City Councilor, said.

Berlant said many Talent businesses are already doing away with single-use plastics.

If the ordinance passes, the ban would go into effect in January 2020.