Ban the Bag Salem, OR

Oregon chapter volunteers and staff are working to advance a sustainable shopping initiative that includes a plastic bag ban in Oregon's capitol city, Salem! Surfrider Foundation's on the ground advocacy has included a range of efforts from ongoing testimony and engagement with the City Council and sustainability staff to collaborative outreach efforts within the City and primary grocers and businesses distributing bags to customers. Surfrider has worked tirelessly to find common ground for the strongest policy possible with our partners and as Oregon's capitol city comes aboard, we'll be looking to advance consistency next at the state level! 

Victory! On November 27, 2018, the Salem City Council gave the final reading and vote of the city's new plastic bag ban policy, currently the strongest policy in the state of Oregon, including both a fee on paper and a ban on plastic carry out bags (including “biodegradable” and “compostable”). The policy also includes improved definitions that prevent loopholes for certain plastic bags. More info.