Tell Austin: Don't Tax and Ban Our Bags!

The Austin City Council is considering a new law that could tax you 10 cents per bag (or $1 per transaction) starting in March 2013 and would then ban plastic bags entirely on March 1, 2014. This ordinance is one of the most expensive and radical in the country, and would directly affect the 8,800 Texans who make their living in plastic manufacturing and recycling. And the money collected won't go towards environmental clean-up—the fee goes directly to retailers and the city government, helping their bottom line while raising shopping costs for Austin's families.

Stand up against exorbitant new taxes and tell the Austin City Council to vote no on a 10-cent bag tax and total bag ban!

Subject: Say NO to bag taxes and bans!

Dear Mayor Leffingwell and the City Council:

I'm an Austin resident and I heard that you're proposing a new 10-cent tax (or $1 per transaction) on every plastic bag we use starting in March 2013 and then a ban on plastic bags starting on March 1, 2014. A bag ban isn't the answer for my family, and it's not the answer for Austin -- please vote NO on this ordinance.

Bans like the one you're considering jeopardize jobs for the thousands of Americans who work in the plastic bag manufacturing and recycling industry -- including 8,800 right here in Texas. And with unemployment at a record high, shouldn't Austin's city council be focused on improving the city instead of taxing our families even more when they can least afford it? You should be focused on creating jobs, not telling us how to carry home our groceries.

The proposed law would also kill the successful pilot recycling program that increased recycling of plastic bags across Austin. A comprehensive recycling solution lets Austin recycle all our plastic bags and wraps, not just the ones we get at grocery stores. Plastic bags are more resource-efficient and generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than paper and reusable bags.

No one likes litter, and litterers should be punished. But banning a convenient, 100% recyclable product -- and punishing consumers with an exorbitant tax burden -- is the wrong approach.

72% of our fellow Austinites agree -- there is a better way to address plastic litter without hurting Texas jobs and families. If you're serious about cleaning up Austin, please support a comprehensive plastic bag recycling solution instead of the country's most expensive and regressive taxes and bans.

Sincerely,

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Mayor Lee Leffingwell and the Austin City Council

Bag the Ban

Say no to bans and taxes on your grocery bags.

Tell Austin: Don't Tax and Ban Our Bags!

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