Cheyenne City Council vetoes a proposal to ban the use of disposable plastic bags
The Cheyenne City Council has decided to reject a proposed ban on single-use plastic bags. The vote took place after significant public input and debate. The ordinance to ban plastic bags was defeated by a narrow vote of 5-4 during the second reading.
The proposal had generated a lot of attention and participation from the public. Over 20 people spoke at the City Council meeting, with most of them expressing their opposition to the ban. These individuals organized through social media platforms, addressing the council both online and in person to voice their disapproval of the ban. Fewer people came forward to support the ban.
Opponents of the ban argued that it contradicted the conservative values associated with Wyoming, emphasizing that the state is "red" (conservative) rather than "blue" (liberal). They believed that the ban would infringe upon personal rights and that important decisions like this should be put to a public vote. Some individuals also drew comparisons to a similar ban in Boulder, which they perceived as having negative consequences.
One of the main concerns raised by those against the ban was its potential impact on businesses. They feared that implementing such policies might make the area less business-friendly, similar to what they believed happened in California and Colorado after they introduced similar bans.
On the other side of the debate, proponents of the ban cited health and environmental concerns associated with plastic. They pointed to the issue of microplastics and other harmful substances that are found in plastic materials. They argued that plastics do not degrade to harmless molecules, leading to potential health and environmental hazards.
Both sides attempted to use environmental arguments to support their stance. Those in favor of the ban believed it would reduce plastic waste and associated harms, while opponents claimed that other packaging materials also contain harmful plastics and that the ban would not make a meaningful difference.
In addressing environmental concerns, the Public Works Director, Vicki Nemecek, provided information about the issues related to plastic waste and contamination. She highlighted the challenges posed by plastic bags and plastic sheeting in the recycling waste stream, which can lead to fines for contamination.
An amendment to the proposed ordinance, which aimed to remove a 10-cent fee for every paper bag sold to consumers, was also discussed but ultimately voted down by the council. Many constituents had expressed concerns about this fee, particularly its potential impact on grocery prices during an economically challenging time.
Ultimately, the council voted against the proposed ban on single-use plastic bags. Some councilors expressed that they would have supported the ban if not for certain elements, such as the fee, which raised concerns about its potential impact on the cost of living for residents.
