The South Sound chapter began campaigning for a reusable bag intiative in Tacoma almost three years ago. Their efforts are now in the home stretch with a public forum on the ordinance scheduled for next week. Since kicking off the campaign, chapter members have been very active in promoting this policy. Members have given public comment at Tacoma city council and committee meetings, while also having individual discussions with each council member. Additionally, chapter members have written letters to the editor, helped gather supporting petition signatures, and shared the importance of joining other Washington cities who have taken important steps to reduce single-use plastics in their communities.
Advocating for a reusable bag initiative was a chapter driven effort and that effort continues today. The South Sound was also part of a recent project to make the most reusable bags out of t-shirts in a day, attempting to establish a new Guinness world record and to keep the issue in front of the public eye. The chapter also promoted a city survey polling residents on their thoughts on the policy, working to ensure their support for an ordinance was heard.
South Sound members provide public comment and reusable bags to the Tacoma city council.
After all of their work the city has yet to adopt a reusable bag policy but is seriously considering it and hosting a public forum to gather more information from local residents. Please make plans to attend the forum happening Tuesday, March 29th from 6pm-7:45pm to support a policy that reduces single-use plastic trash in the community and associated waterways. If you are unable to attend the forum you can still make public comments on the ordinance by April 8th by submitting them to sustainability@cityoftacoma.org or reaching out to your council member. For any further questions or inquiries please contact the chapter at sssurfrider@gmail.com.