Pickett said, "This is something I've been thinking about for a number of years." The idea of cutting down on plastic carry-out bags is also something that has been considered for some months by a citizens committee.
But, the committee has not been in general agreement on just how to implement a ban and just which stores would be required to participate.
Pickett's proposal is a simple enough. All grocery stores in Anacortes with a footprint of more than 40,000 square feet would be required to charge 5 cent for each plastic carry-out bag used by customers. Only Safeway and The Market would be impacted. Retailers would keep the fee to offset the cost of the program.
Some say that by requiring only the largest grocery stores to participate would be unfair.
Discussion on the proposed ordinance is set to continue at next Monday's City Council meeting.