Freeport officials consider plastic bag ban
Freeport town officials are considering whether or not to ban disposable plastic bags for businesses — taking the issue a step further than Portland’s recently approved bag fee.
The Forecaster reported that Freeport’s ordinance committee is expected to take up the proposal at a meeting that has yet to be scheduled. The plastic bag ban was proposed by two Freeport residents seeking to raise awareness about the toxic substances contained within plastic bags.
The proposal would ban disposable plastic bags used at grocery and convenience stores, but it wouldn’t apply to bags used for items bought in bulk, like candy. It also wouldn’t apply to bags used to insulate damp items like ground beef, nor would it apply to garbage bags, pet waste bags or bags designed for newspapers and prescription drugs.
Freeport Town Councilor Rich DeGrandpre told The Forecaster that the proposal would likely undergo revisions before it would be approved by the full Town Council. If the council approved the proposal before November, it would have to go to a town-wide referendum.
DeGrandpre said he understands the health and environmental issues created by plastic bags, but wonders if there’s a better solution than an outright ban.
The Portland City Council adopted a five-cent fee for plastic and paper bags last month that will become effective in April 2015 — a move opposed by some business groups and supported by environmental groups. Kennebunk officials are considering a similar ordinance.
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