Plastic Bag Ban Amendments Spark Debate: Environment, Economy, and Safety in Focus
The Baltimore County Council is currently re-examining the plastic bag ban that is set to take effect on November 1. Republican Councilman Todd Crandell has proposed changes to the ban, particularly concerning the requirement for liquor stores and restaurants to charge customers five cents for paper carryout bags. Crandell believes that this aspect of the law needs to be addressed before it goes into effect later in the fall, so that businesses can plan accordingly.
However, there are differing opinions on these proposed changes. Suzanne Richardson, representing the Greater Baltimore Sierra Club, opposes the changes, arguing that the ban was only approved six months ago and making changes now would lead to confusion. Other residents and environmental advocates expressed concerns that altering the law could impact people's ecological behaviors and negatively affect the environment, including the potential for plastic bags to end up in the Chesapeake Bay.
Democratic Council Chair Julian Jones has a different perspective, focusing on the economic impacts of the five cent fee. He questions the idea of making people pay for something without giving them a choice and suggests that it could be seen as punitive.
Brendan Mahoney, speaking on behalf of the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM), raised food safety concerns related to reusable bags. He mentioned that reusable bags might pose cross-contamination risks, especially in food service establishments. Some jurisdictions have exempted food service facilities from similar bans due to these concerns.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has also weighed in on the matter, indicating that he would veto the proposed changes. The council is expected to vote on the matter on Tuesday, September 5th. The discussions around the plastic bag ban reflect the complex interplay between environmental concerns, economic considerations, and public policy decisions.
