Following the policy of banning plastic bags by many States in the US, Chicago is considering to ban plastic bags. It would replace plastic bags with promotional grocery bags in supermarkets. The proposal will be open for discussion in the City Council Meeting. For the proposal to get sanctioned, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s consent is mandatory.
The main sponsor of this proposal is Proco Moreno, an alderman from First Ward. He is confident and optimistic that this motion will be easily cleared as it already has mass support and it is in favor of the health and environment committee. However, the Mayor’s opinion has been diplomatic so far on the issue. Retail Merchants from Illinois and business groups who are the mayor’s allies are not too keen on having this ban passed. The chairman of the health and environment committee, George Cardenas, stated that this ban will go through a fair discussion where both sides will be given a chance to express their point of view. This motion will not be forced down to the public or retail merchants. Cardenas also happens to be a loyalist to the Mayor.
Scrutinizing all aspects of the Motion
It is believed that the workforce of Mr. Mayor’s office is highly prompt at executing decisions. If only the Mayor approves of something, the plan is put into action within hours. The Mayor is known for passing complicated privatization deals and budgets within weeks.
If this proposal comes through, Chicago would be a part of the areas that are forcing shoppers who use reusable bags to use promotional grocery bags.
So far San Francisco, Seattle, Hawaii, and Los Angeles County, have banned plastic in their territory. But, Dallas, LA, and New York have put it on hold. Earlier attempts to forbid the use of plastic bags in Chicago have failed.
Pros and cons of using promotional grocery bags
Switching to reusable bags from plastic bags is preferable owing to the fact that plastic bags are non-biodegradable, costly, and polluting. The Mayor’s loyalists have proposed that the ban should not be placed immediately, as it would result in killing of jobs and several concerned industries. However, they have proposed a “compromise” law that demands retail shop owners to set up recycling programs. But this program was not executed efficiently. Only 3 percent of bags have actually been recycled until now. Retailers say that this dropping rate of recycling is because people are actually switching from using plastic bags to reusable bags. The retailers want their customers to exercise choice in these matters and not force a decision down their throat.
Aldermen feel that this ban is beneficial for the city because it is an environmental issue and also a tax payer issue. The IRMA feels that it is an added burden on retailers who are looking to diversify in food deserts. For them, it is a choice between plastic bags and expanding to poor neighborhoods.
The Mayor, usually known for his dynamic leadership, has taken a side step this time. However, his spokesperson hinted in an email that the aldermen could not the vote so easily. Moreno hopes that despite all the political agendas, he is able to do something for the sustainable development of the planet.
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