District of Columbia: Mayor Fenty signs landmark environmental legislation, continuing green dc agenda
Issue date: 7/19/09 Section: Neighborhood
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has signed a bill, introduced by Ward Six Councilmember Tommy Wells and passed unanimously by the DC Council, to create the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund. The District Department of the Environment will administer the fund, using the proceeds to educate the public about the impact of trash, to provide reusable bags to District residents, and to remove trash from the river."
Under this new law, the simple steps we take every day will result in a healthier Anacostia River," said Mayor Fenty. "Disposable bags are a menace to our waterways, and dramatically cutting down on their use will have a measurable impact almost immediately."
District businesses will charge customers five cents for every disposable paper or plastic carryout bag beginning January 1, 2010, with the proceeds going to the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund. The legislation also requires that these bags be recyclable and carry a message encouraging recycling.
The bag fee is the first of its kind in the nation, and will not apply to bags used for newspapers, produce, hardware, frozen foods, plants, bakery items or prescription drugs. "The Anacostia is a river in crisis, and our team sees evidence of that crisis every day with what we pull out of the water." said DDOE Director George S. Hawkins. "But this bill has given us an extraordinary opportunity. We will now begin a District-wide conversation about trash and its effects, while at the same time removing a major source of that trash."
By October, DDOE will begin a public education campaign about the new law and establish a public-private partnership to distribute reusable bags to District residents. The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009, Bill 18-150, passed the Council unanimously on June 16.
Under this new law, the simple steps we take every day will result in a healthier Anacostia River," said Mayor Fenty. "Disposable bags are a menace to our waterways, and dramatically cutting down on their use will have a measurable impact almost immediately."
District businesses will charge customers five cents for every disposable paper or plastic carryout bag beginning January 1, 2010, with the proceeds going to the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund. The legislation also requires that these bags be recyclable and carry a message encouraging recycling.
The bag fee is the first of its kind in the nation, and will not apply to bags used for newspapers, produce, hardware, frozen foods, plants, bakery items or prescription drugs. "The Anacostia is a river in crisis, and our team sees evidence of that crisis every day with what we pull out of the water." said DDOE Director George S. Hawkins. "But this bill has given us an extraordinary opportunity. We will now begin a District-wide conversation about trash and its effects, while at the same time removing a major source of that trash."
By October, DDOE will begin a public education campaign about the new law and establish a public-private partnership to distribute reusable bags to District residents. The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009, Bill 18-150, passed the Council unanimously on June 16.
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