Maine House backs statewide plastic bag ban
Courtesy / Natural Resources Council of Maine
Proponents of L.D. 1532, "An Act to Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags," say it would encourage greater use of reusable grocery bags. After passage by the House this week, the measure moves to the Senate for consideration.
The Maine House of Representatives on Thursday gave its initial approval to a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, sending the bill to the Senate for a vote that's expected next week.
The measure, L.D. 1532, "An Act to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Carry-Out Bags," is sponsored by state Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay. The House backed the bill by a vote of 91-52.
It seeks to tackle the plastic pollution problem by banning the use of plastic shopping bags throughout Maine and promoting recyclable paper bags at a minimum charge of a nickel a bag.
If the ban goes ahead, Maine would be the third state to do so after California and New York.
Strong support for the ban was voiced in a public hearing last month before the Legislature's Environmental and Natural Resources Committee, as well as in written submissions posted online.
The bill was developed and supported by conservationists, grocers and retailers, including the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association.
“Restricting the use of single-use plastic bags is an appropriate and direct response to the threat of plastic pollution which is deadly to wildlife and costly for Maine’s town," said Sarah Lakeman, Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, in a statement emailed to Mainebiz after Thursday's vote.
She added: "A statewide ban will deliver the consistency that retailers, grocers, and businesses are asking for and continue Maine’s ethic of responsibly taking care of our land, air, and water for all to enjoy.”
Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Retail Asociation of Maine, told Mainebiz last December that the organization was open to a statewide ban in place of the patchwork of varying fees and bans in different communities, which he said poses a challenge to retailers operating out of more than one location.
Opponents of the proposed statewide ban include the American Forest & Paper Association and the Renewable Bag Council, who argue that consumers who are sensitive to environmental concerns choose paper bags, and that many retailers have already transitioned to paper.
The Maine Heritage Policy Center is also against the proposed measure, which it says would be harmful to consumers and, though well-intentioned, "would do little for Maine people."
One observer said a Senate vote could come as early as Tuesday.
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I remember when the only option was paper bags ... And they were free.
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