North Carolina Says No To Cities Banning Plastic Bags
A new provision in the recently passed North Carolina state budget prohibits cities from banning plastic bags. The News & Observer reports that the provision bans cities from enacting policy or legislation that would “restrict, tax, charge a fee, prohibit or otherwise regulate the use, disposition, or sale of an auxiliary container.” This applies to things like plastic bags, take-out containers at restaurants, and other similar items. Cities like Asheville and Durham have been trying to ban single-use plastics like plastic shopping bags. But this new legislation will not allow those bans to be put in place.
WLOS in Asheville calls this a “major setback” for environmentalists. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association is responsible for lobbying this language to ensure state policy in an effort to protect grocers. North Carolina cities that were considering banning plastic bags could still move forward with those bans to see if the state chooses to act.
Plastic Bag Bans
According to the EPA, plastic bag bans are important because the bags are not biodegradable, are often only used once, and the plastic is not easily recyclable. There is also concern that the bags can be blown into water and harm wildlife. I personally do try to take unused plastic bags back to the grocery store to recycle them. Does this do anything beneficial I have no idea, but hey I’m trying. I have numerous of reusable shopping bags but I just don’t ever remember to take them into the store when I go. That and I often do order ahead at stores like Target in an effort to not purchase things I don’t need.
I can see both sides of this argument. The ban would be beneficial to the environment. But in a time when prices are skyrocketing, especially on groceries, any added cost such as more expensive biodegradable bags, would be passed on to the consumers. And I know I personally can’t afford that neither can most Americans.
You can read more on the ban here. Do you support this move by the state or would you like to see cities in North Carolina banning plastic bags?
