PORT ORCHARD — The City Council is including a public hearing during its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday to take testimony and comment on a proposed new municipal code ordinance regulating single-use plastic carryout bags in retail establishments.

The new Chapter 6.20 of the Port Orchard Municipal Code, “Plastic Bag Reduction,” would limit the distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags and encourage the use of recyclable and reusable bags.

At a council work study session in June, council members discussed regulation that would be unified with similar legislation proposed by Kitsap County’s commissioners. On May 29, 2018, the City Council held a town hall meeting in which residents were given a chance to voice their opinions on a proposed single-use plastic bag ban.

Anyone interested in submitting written comments prior to the Aug. 13 meeting can do so by 4 p.m. that day through the city’s Department of Community Development via email at planning@cityofportorchard.us or by phone at 360-874-5533.

The proposed ordinance can be viewed on the city’s website at cityofportorchard.us/proposed-plastic-bag-reduction/ or at the front counter of the Department of Community Development at 720 Prospect St., Port Orchard.