Texas Cities Bag the Bags

Brownsville: Passed an optional bag elimination or fee ordinance in 2010

The public was initially divided and skeptical about the ban, but now it is very popular, particularly with business
leaders who are pleased about the elimination of litter. Art Rodriguez, City of Brownsville Health Department

Healthy Communities estimates that 350,000 bags are eliminated each day, and a majority of residents surveyed
said the ordinance has helped beautify the city. Landfill litter has decreased, and fewer bags are seen in storm
drains. In addition, more residents are participating in the citys recycling programs for other waste, overall.
Rose Timmer, Healthy Communities of Brownsville

Fort Stockton: Phased out single-use bags in 2011

Plastic ingestion is one real killer of cattle today with almost no known cure.. It is just a quiet and painful way for
cattle to die with several difficult symptoms to confuse the issue. International Texas Longhorn Association

As a Councilmember from Fort Stockton, who is also active in my local Tea Party group, local control is near and
dear to me. Fort Stockton worked closely with our local Wal-Mart manager to craft an ordinance that will work for
Fort Stockton. I just want to be able to stop having to pick so many disposable bags off our mesquite trees and off
of barbed wire fences. Darren Hodges, Fort Stockton Mayor Pro Tem

Our ordinance works very well, weve seen a huge litter reduction impact, and residents are pleased.
Raul Rodriguez, Fort Stockton City Manager

South Padre Island: Phased out bags in 2012

The main driving force behind why SPI passed the ban was the dangers
they present to marine life. Several necropsies performed on dead sea
turtles revealed that they ingested plastic bags (probably floating in the
Laguna Madre Bay) thinking they were jelly fish. We are surrounded by
water, the Laguna Madre to our West and the Gulf of Mexico to our East
and an abundance of marine life. SPI Former Mayor Robert Pinkerton

We have seen a noticeable absence of plastic bags.
Cipi Torres, City of South Padre Island

Austin: Phased out bags in 2013

Estimated annual costs to manage plastic bag waste: $331,000 ! $804,000/year.
Bob Gedert, Director Austin Resource Recovery (ARR)

Bags are now basically non-existent in right-of-way and street cleaning. Our litter abatement crews may now be
able to expand their efforts into new areas. Vidal Maldonado, Litter Abatement Division Manager, ARR

Freer: Phased out bags in 2013

The oil boom has caused a huge increase in traffic and our litter was out of control. We were seen as a dirty city,
and this was hurting new business. This made an immediate, huge difference in litter clean-up.
Mayor Andy Bierstedt

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