Research, focus groups underway regarding potential ban for plastic bags, straws, other plastic products in Lawrence

A local committee considering a city ordinance to reduce the amount of disposable plastic products used in Lawrence is coordinating outside research and focus groups to inform its decision.

The city’s Sustainability Advisory Board voted in July to make the issue of single-use plastics one of its priorities. Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore said after that decision, there was a lot of public interest and some concerns.
“A lot of people have made contact and expressed interest in being a part of that conversation,” said Moore, who is the board’s staff liaison. “And so the group intends to make sure that different types of stakeholders are included in that process.”