Environmentalists and businesses are being given an opportunity to develop a proposal to stiffen Oahu’s plastic checkout bag ban.

City Councilman Brandon Elefante had introduced a proposal to ban the distribution of compostable plastic bags at checkout counters and to increase the required thickness of reusable plastic bags. The measure, Bill 59, was deferred in committee last week pending further discussion and input from stakeholders.

“It’s not really a complete ban,” Elefante said of Oahu’s existing law. “We live in an isolated region. It’s really about sustainability.”

Oahu’s plastic checkout bag ban, which went into effect in July 2015, allows businesses to give out compostable plastic bags and reusable plastic bags that are at least 2.25 mils (2.25-thousandths of an inch) thick, as well as plastic bags of all types for prepared and baked goods, newspapers and other specific items. Hawaii became the first state to ban single-use plastic grocery bags in all counties. Elefante’s proposal would have required reusable plastic bags at least 3 mils thick.

Lauren Zirbel, executive director of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said Wednesday at a meeting of the City Council’s Public Works, Infrastructure and Sustainability Committee that a better way to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable sacks would be to require retailers to charge a minimum 10-cent fee for each single-use bag.

Although some retailers do not charge for single-use bags, Zirbel said the cost is passed on to shoppers via price increases in food and other goods. She said the revenue from the fee could help retailers supplement the higher cost of providing reusable bags.

“There isn’t a proper incentive in place for people to bring their reusable bag,” said Zirbel, whose organization represents more than 200 food retailers in Hawaii. “It’s a benefit for the consumer because they’re not paying for the increased cost in their food. We feel that’s the right thing to do for the environment and it’s the right thing to do for the consumers.”

Stuart Coleman, the Surfrider Foundation’s Hawaiian Islands manager, called the fee a viable solution to reducing the use of single-use bags. Coleman had initially proposed requiring reusable plastic bags to be 4 mils thick.

“That (fee) would truly be a win-win for the stores, the environmental groups and the customers,” said Coleman, whose group seeks to protect beaches and coastlines. “That is the most effective way.”

Zirbel and Coleman said they would work together on a solution suitable for stakeholders and customers. Elefante said after the meeting that he is open to the fee proposal and other options.

Committee Chairwoman Carol Fukunaga recommended deferring the bill to allow more time for the food industry and environmental advocates to work on a proposal that would encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. She said she would also work with city officials to identify trash can options that prevent bags from blowing away and littering parks and beaches.