Annapolis Debates Plastic Bag Ban

WJZ Channel 13 - Baltimore
July 23, 2007
Suzanne Collins Reporting

(WJZ) ANNAPOLIS, Md. The state capital might become the first place in the nation where plastic bags are banned in retail stores.

Suzanne Collins reports that measure is being considered by the Annapolis City Council in Anne Arundel County.

"Paper or plastic?" are words that may no longer be uttered in Annapolis grocery and retail stores if a proposal to ban plastic bags is passed by the Annapolis City Council. The alderman sponsoring the bill says it will help save the Chesapeake Bay.

"[About] 95% of plastic check out bags are not being recycled. They're either going to landfills or they're blowing around our atmosphere in our environment. Many of them are going into our storm drains," said Alderman Sam Shropshire.

The bill would only permit recycled paper bags and reusable cloth bags in every retail store, large and small. The alderman got the idea from San Francisco, which put into effect a less rigid, partial ban on plastic bags earlier this year. The plastic bag industry lobbyists, however, say paper bags can be just as polluting.

"It takes seven trucks compared to one truck to deliver the same amount of bags to a grocery store and more space in the landfill," said Donna Dempsey with the plastic bag industry.

Industry opponents showed the alderman how 500 plastic bags compare to 500 paper bags. They also argue there is a real financial effect.

If this bill passes, it will cost Annapolis retailers more. They pay about 2.2 cents for a plastic bag, whereas a standard paper grocery bag is about 5.7 cents.

Consumers tell Eyewitness News they want conservation but they also want convenience.

"It's silly. There's some things you just can't put in paper bags. You won't make it to the car with your ice cream," said Wendy Udell.

"I know people said they don't like seeing them flying in the trees, that kind of thing. They're creating a problem for the environment," said Jul Lee Martensson.

A final vote on the bill is expected on Oct. 8.