Lawmakers in Baltimore are considering two bills aimed at heading off the proliferation of plastic bag litter around the city. One bill would ban grocery stores, convenience stores, and fast-food chains from giving customers their merchandise in plastic bags. Violators would be fined $250 for a first offense up to $1,000 for three or more offenses in a six-month period. The other bill would require merchants to levy a 25-cent fee on every plastic bag dispensed at carryout. Exceptions would be granted for bagging up fresh fish and meat, candy, cooked foods, dairy products, fruits and nuts and ice.
This isn’t the council’s first attempt to cut down on plastic bag litter, but supporters note the city is facing a state and federal mandate to do something about the trash littering Baltimore’s harbor, and plastic grocery and take-out bags are a big part of the mess.
The fee would cost the city about $85,000 to implement and could generate from $1.6 to $6.4 million in revenues for the city, according to the City’s finance department. A committee vote on the issue was postponed until March 16 because several retailers’ lobbyists were unable to attend yesterday’s session.
What do you think? Let us know!
–Should cities be able to charge a fee for using disposable shopping bags?
–Would it hurt businesses?
–Would it help cut down on the litter?
