Grocers Say It's Time for City of Seattle to Help -- not Tax -- Citizens to Reduce...

Grocers Say It's Time for City of Seattle to Help -- not Tax -- Citizens to Reduce Bag Use

Alternative Proposal Would Encourage Citizen Participation Rather
than Punitive Taxes;

Public Comment at Seattle City Hall Today at 2 p.m.
SEATTLE--(Business Wire)--
As the City of Seattle continues to push forward with its idea to
tax each grocery bag a customer uses, Seattle's independent grocers
are fighting back on behalf of their customers with a proposal to
reward citizen participation without punitive taxes. The state's
independent grocery association, the Washington Food Industry (WFI),
presented a proposal last week to the Seattle City Council supporting
the City's goal to increase the use of reusable bags. WFI proposed its
Seattle grocer members will pay customers to reduce bag use as an
alternative to collecting the City's tax, and urged the City to become
more proactive and less punitive in its actions to encourage bag
reuse.

Among several environmental initiatives, the City is exploring a
20-cent-per-bag tax on disposable bags and an outright ban on expanded
polystyrene foam (used in foodservice) beginning in Jan. 2009. More
discussion is on the table today at 2 p.m. during the City's
Environment Committee meeting at City Hall.

"The City's grocers have been working diligently to help customers
move toward reusable bags because it is good for the environment and
customers are asking," said WFI President and CEO Jan Gee. "We've been
doing our part and we've seen a difference -- our grocers are willing
to do more, but we also need to see the City do its part, as well as
non-grocery retailers."

The WFI proposal, developed by its Seattle members, would exempt
retailers and their customers from the City's punitive tax if they
took comprehensive, in-store measures including:

-- Provide reusable bags for sale in a prominent location near
checkout counters

-- Provide at least a 5-cent-per-bag rebate to all customers who
bring in reusable bags

-- Have in-store recycling bins prominently located and signed
within the store

-- Provide in-store education regarding the environmental
benefits that can be obtained by switching to reusable bags

In addition, the WFI is petitioning the City of Seattle to lead an
aggressive public campaign to educate citizens on how and why to use
reusable bags. The WFI proposal also asks the City to create and
implement a plan for reusable bag distribution to low income citizens.

"The City of Seattle simply said 'tax them,' rather than counting
on the intelligence and willingness of Seattle citizens to do the
right thing," said Gee.

With food prices at historically high levels and no relief in
sight, local grocers do not want their customers to pay more at the
check out stand.

"My customers are already struggling to feed their families," said
Lenny Rose who owns the Promenade, Newport Hills and Hilltop Red Apple
grocery stores in Seattle. "Our proposal teaches them to recycle and
use reusable bags while giving them a price break; Seattle's proposal
just will cost them more money."

Seattle's independent grocers have already heard from customers
they want options. Many already have plastic bag recycling bins in the
stores and sell reusable bags for customer use. In addition, many
grocers have implemented reusable bag giveaway programs in conjunction
with Earth Day or other events. During the recent grand opening of the
downtown Kress IGA, 5000 reusable bags were given away and customers
are returning with the bags in hand.

"Our customers are already becoming aware of the need to move
toward reusable bags," said Tyler Myers of the Myers Group, owners of
the Kress IGA. "Assistance from the City in terms of public education
will help increase this awareness and involvement from all retailers
-- not just grocery stores -- is necessary."

WFI's plan is backed by Seattle's citizens, according to a survey
conducted by the City of Seattle's Public Utilities Department. In
that survey, 89 percent of Seattle residents indicated support for
voluntary in-store programs while only 35 percent supported a fee.

Model recycling programs have been developed to give independent
grocers the right tools to educate customers on the importance of
recycling both plastic and paper bags. According to Gee, customers
respond very quickly, particularly when the recycling bins are in a
prominent location in the store. Grocers also give incentives to
customers for using reusable bags, such as discounts.

Metropolitan Market Chief Executive Officer Terry Halverson has
implemented a program complementing the one the WFI proposed to the
City.

"We have been increasing customer use of reusable bag by
approximately 20 percent per month over the last seven months using a
program similar to the one that WFI is proposing," Halverson said. "We
don't want to see new taxes or growing city bureaucracies; our
proposal is about doing the right thing for the environment, our
stores, our employees and our customers."

Members of the public are encouraged to appear today at Seattle
City Hall (600 4th Avenue) at 1:45 p.m. to sign up for the public
comment period and make a statement for the record against adopting
the two ordinances. The City's Environment Committee meets at 2 p.m.
to discuss two ordinances relating to disposable bags and foam
container bans. All concerned Seattle citizens are encouraged to
contact their City Council members, including:

-- Richard Conlin by email or phone: 206-684-8805 -
richard.conlin@seattle.gov

-- Bruce Harrell by email or phone: 206-684-8888 -
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov

-- Tim Burgess by email or phone: 206-684-8888 -
tim.burgess@seattle.gov

-- Sally Clark by email or phone: 206-684-8802 -
sally.clark@seattle.gov

-- Jan Drago by email or phone: 206-684-8801 -
jan.drago@seattle.gov

-- Jean Godden by email or phone: 206-684-8807 -
jean.godden@seattle.gov

-- Nick Licata by email or phone: 206-684-8803 -
nick.licata@seattle.gov

-- Richard McIver by email or phone: 206-684-8800 -
richard.mciver@seattle.gov

-- Tom Rasmussen by email or phone: 206-684-8808 -
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov

Washington Food Industry
Jan Gee, President/CEO, 253-209-5079

Copyright Business Wire 2008