It appears unlikely Salina will ban the sale of plastic shopping bags.
During a study session on Monday, three city commissioners, Karl Ryan, Mike Hoppock, and Melissa Hodges, expressed opposition to further exploring the proposal at this time. Further consideration of the plastic bag ban would require city staff to spend less time on other priorities, which concerned commissioners who support putting the proposal on hold.
Two commissioners, Joe Hay Jr. and Trent Davis, expressed support for continuing to consider banning plastic shopping bags.
Hay passionately advocated for the ban, which he said would benefit the environment. Hay estimates Salina residents use 60 to 70 million plastic shopping bags every year.
“That number is mind blowing,” He said. “Look at the plastic bags at the landfill. That’s not Christmas decorations on that fence, that’s a lot of plastic bags. We have a big windstorm in town and they’re everywhere”
“I know there is a lot of important stuff to do out there,” Hay added. “But I think this is just as important as any of the other stuff we’ve got to.”
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)