The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of the ordinance codified in this chapter:
A. Compostable
means that the product will break down into, or otherwise become part of, usable compost in a safe and timely manner in an appropriate composting facility, or in a home compost pile or device, and has been certified as compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute or similar national or international certification authority.
B. Carryout bag1. 2. 3. 4.
means any bag that is provided by a retail establishment at the check stand, cash register, point of sale, home delivery, or other point of departure to a customer for use to transport or carry away purchases such as merchandise, goods or food from the retail establishment. Carryout bags do not include:
Bags used by consumers inside stores to package bulk items, such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, greeting cards or small hardware items such as nails, bolts or screws; to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish regardless of whether they are prepackaged; to contain or wrap flowers, potted plants or other items where dampness may be a problem; to contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods; or to contain prescription drugs; or
A bag used to protect a purchased item from damaging or contaminating other purchased items when placed in a recyclable paper bag or reusable bag, such as prepared take-out foods or prepared liquids intended for consumption away from the retail establishment; or
Newspaper bags, door-hanger bags, tire bags, laundry-dry cleaning bags or bags sold in packages containing multiple bags for uses such as food storage, garbage, pet waste or yard waste; or
Paper bags with a capacity of eight pounds or less, that contain at least twenty percent postconsumer recycled material.
C. Recycled paper carryout bag1. 2. 3. 4.
means a paper carryout bag provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale that meets all of the following requirements:
Has a material weight of larger than eight pounds and contains an average of forty percent postconsumer recycled materials;
Is accepted for recycling in curbside programs in a majority of households that have access to curb-side recycling programs in the county;
Is capable of composting in a commercial composting facility; and
Is clearly labeled with the minimum percentage of postconsumer content.
D. Retail establishment
means any person, corporation, partnership, business, facility, vendor, organization, or individual that sells or provides food, merchandise, goods, or materials directly to a customer including home delivery, temporary stores, or vendors at farmers markets, street fairs, and festivals.
E. Reusable carryout bag1. 2. 3.
means a bag made of cloth or other material with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for long-term multiple reuse and meets all of the following requirements:
Has a minimum lifetime of one hundred twenty-five uses, which for purposes of this subsection, means the capacity of carrying a minimum of twenty-two pounds one hundred twenty-five times over a distance of at least one hundred seventy-five feet;
Is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned or disinfected; and
If made of film plastic, is a minimum of at least two and one-quarter mils thick.
F. Single-use plastic carryout bag
means any bag that is less than two and one-quarter mils thick and is made from plastic or any nonrenewable resource.
G. Pass-through charge
means a charge collected by retailers from their customers when providing plastic or recycled paper carryout bags and retained by retailers to offset the cost of bags and other costs related to the pass-through charge.
(Ord. 2020-04 § 3 (part), 2020)