Eugene City Council considering single-use plastics ordinance

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Eugene City Council is discussing an ordinance that would limit single-use plastics like straws, bags and styrofoam containers.

The ordinance aims to clean up the streets of Eugene by limiting the use of those plastics, and some residents think it needs to happen.

Plastic straws, styrofoam containers and plastic bags you get from restaurants would all be going away.

City staff said the financial impact on restaurants would be minimal and there wouldn't be any fees or deposits for consumers.

Eugene resident Leroy Spoden said he thinks passing this ordinance would help with the litter he sees on city streets every day.

"All over the place. Just walking downtown, you see it all over," Spoden said. "Yeah, I see it all the time. So, I think it would help."

He also said it would benefit the environment.

"I think it would benefit us quite a bit. Like I said it's a good start," Spoden said. "You gotta start somewhere and keep thinking up different ways to help the environment out."

Monday night's meeting is just a work session and the city council is not expected to pass the ordinance just yet.

City staff is asking the council to schedule a public hearing to get feedback from residents and the food industry.

There are also bills currently being considered in the Oregon Legislature similar to this ordinance that, if passed, could make it so that this city ordinance isn't necessary.

What do you think about the proposed ordinance? Let us know in the comments section below.