ConservingNow Community Change

More and more cities are considering and/or implementing plastic bag bans - this is an important step for all of us because as these cities start to consider the effects of plastic bags and bans and taxes, they are beginning a process to understand more clearly all of the complicated issues around getting rid of plastic bags.  There are the super markets, the consumers, the small retailers and the food service industry - all of whom use bags in a different way and for different reasons.  A ban will not stand unless all sides issues and needs are considered and addressed.  So, today Baltimore is putting their own spin on the plastic bag pollution problem.

"Under a bill endorsed by a council committee Tuesday, food sellers would be given a choice of offering only paper bags or encouraging their customers to cut back on or recycle the plastic ones...Participating merchants could still give out plastic bags, but only if customers ask for them...The stores would have to collect the bags for recycling, offer reusable shopping bags for sale and post signs in their stores encouraging customers to use the reusable sacks. Violators would be subject to fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 for repeat infractions...The revised measure would prohibit supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants from handing out bags at checkout unless they opt to participate in a "plastic bag reduction" program."

While this legislation may or may not be the answer - it is important to recognize that retailers, legislators and citizens are doing their best to address a difficult issue and are doing so in a way that makes sense to their communities and their needs.  Its a great first step!

Read more here:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/bal-md.gr.bags16mar17,0,57535...