To the editor:

A KU graduate research project for a Master of Public Administration class last fall concluded that at least 29.7 million single-use plastic bags are used by Lawrence residents every year! Most of these end up in the landfill, where they do not biodegrade for at least 500 years. A few end up in trees and in the Kansas River.

According to the study, a total ban on plastic bags in Lawrence coupled with a 10 cent fee on all other bags would remove an estimated 21.8 million bags from the waste stream. The alternative of imposing a 10 cent fee on all bags would remove 17.8 million bags from the waste stream. The study will be submitted to the City Commission for possible action.

Clark H. Coan,

Lawrence