Foam takeout container ban passes Oregon House on second try

A bill banning polystyrene foam takeout containers has passed the Oregon House on its second try, after failing to get enough votes Monday.

It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 2883 would prohibit restaurants, grocery stores, food carts and other food vendors from selling prepared food in polystyrene containers.

On Monday, the bill became the first to fail on the floor this session after failing 29-29, with two Democrats absent.

On Tuesday, with all members present, it passed 32-28.

Values clash:Developers eye wetlands as Oregon cities run out of buildable land

During a brief debate — interrupted by a fire alarm and short evacuation — opponents again pointed out that an Oregon company is recycling polystyrene.

“We talk about recycling, but we’re really not in favor of it when the option is available,” Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls, said.

Proponents said it’s impractical to expect residents to wash and save takeout containers and drive them to the Tigard facility.

The bill was amended to push back its effective date, until Jan. 1, 2021, to allow time to develop a better recycling program, Rep. Sheri Schouten, D-Beaverton, said. The amendment also removed fines and penalties for not complying.

“We’ve made our best attempt to make this bill as strong as it can be,” Schouten said.  

Two other bills aiming to reduce plastic waste and pollution are moving through the Legislature.

Salem murder:Man convicted of fatal shooting in Salem alley gets life in prison

House Bill 2509 would ban single-use plastic shopping bags, with some exceptions, and impose a 5-cent fee on recycled paper bags. It passed out of committee Monday and is headed to the House floor for a vote.

Senate Bill 90 would make plastic straws available to restaurant and convenience store customers only upon request. It has been approved by the Senate, and is scheduled for a hearing in the House Energy and Environment Committee on April 25.

Contact the reporter at tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/Tracy_Loew