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ORDINANCE NO. 4181
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, ALLOWING A TEMPORARY BLANKET
EXEMPTION FROM CHAPTER 6.80 ECC, ENTITLED
“PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION,” DUE TO COMPLIANCE
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, grocery stores in Washington are facing an unprecedented grocery bag supply
issue due to the COVID-19 outbreak; and
WHEREAS, grocery stores have had a longstanding issue with access to paper bags, but
are now also struggling to find adequate supplies of heavier gauge plastic bags as shoppers are
buying in significantly larger quantities due to the COVID-19 outbreak; and
WHEREAS, grocery store checkers are concerned about the COVID-19 exposure that
could come from touching reusable bags brought into the store by a customer; and
WHEREAS, grocery store checkers would feel less exposed to the virus if they could bag
customer purchases in a paper bag or plastic bag obtained by the grocery store; and
WHEREAS, grocers cannot legally utilize lighter weight plastic bags without city council
authorization; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 6.80 ECC, entitled “Plastic Bag
Reduction,” all grocery stores operating within the City of Edmonds shall be exempt from
compliance with the provisions of chapter 6.80 ECC for a period of sixty days from the effective
date of this Ordinance.
Section 2. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause, sentence, or phrase of this
ordinance should be held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 3. Declaration of Emergency. The City Council hereby declares that an emergency
exists necessitating that this Ordinance take effect immediately upon passage by a majority vote