Bisbee first in Arizona to ban disposable bags | Community Spirit

City council members voted Tuesday to approve a ban ordinance on single-use plastic/ paper. This particular ban, which was a unanimous decision among the council, is the first to be approved in Arizona.

The ban will start out on a volunteer basis for six months and then the ban's effectiveness will be reviewed by the city manager, according to a Sierra Vista Herald article.

Supporters of the ban say the bags jam drainage ditches and equipment at the city's wastewater treatment plant. 

If the voluntary effort fails, there are three phases that council members can choose to implement. The first phase will make it mandatory for some of Bisbee's retail and convenience stores to charge customers 5-cents for all single-use plastic bags. All stores that make at least $1 million in revenues each year will have to comply with this phase of the ban. The second phase will include retail stores that make revenues of at least $250,000 per year.

The third and final phase of the ban on disposable plastic/paper bags would include all retail stores, including the small businesses, the article stated.

Depending on the number of violations, failure to abide by the ordinance could result in fines anywhere from $100 to $500.