Banning plastic bags in Nome would mean local businesses would be required to only distribute paper bags or the consumer would bring their own reusable bags. To make the transition possible, they could be granted one year before the ban takes effect for local businesses. This means, local restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, etc. would help reduce plastic waste in Nome, Alaska starting as soon as next year.

There are currently over 400 cities and states that have completely banned plastic bag use, including; Unalakleet, Saint Michael, Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Bethel, Homer, Hooper Bay, Unalaska and the entire state of California and state of Oregon.(UPDATED: FAIRBANKS HAS DECLINED THEIR BAN)

Representative Andy Josephson of Anchorage has sponsored the bill, HB 81 "An Act prohibiting disposable plastic shopping bags; and providing for an effective date." The bill is awaiting the House of Labor & Commerce Committee to have a hearing for in January 2020.

Senator Dan Sullivan introduced the “Save Our Seas 2.0 Act” (introduced in whole as S. 1982) by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  A third piece of the bill awaits action by the Senate Commerce Committee.  The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act was introduced in June to address the plastic debris crisis threatening coastal economies and harming marine life. These Alaskan political representatives are also in similar efforts.

Please consider banning plastic bags. We stand with the Village of Solomon in their outreach and educational efforts to reduce the plastic pollution in our subsistence lifestyles here in the Region.