According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 3,960 thousand tons of plastics waste, including bags, sacks, and wraps, was generated in 2008. This widespread waste causes great environmental harm. Firstly, large numbers of the bags become litter and find their way into streams, creeks, and other waterways, generally degrading natural areas. Animals often mistake these abandoned plastic bags for fish or other edible matter; this results in bodily harm to the animals or, even worse, death. Also, when bags break down into smaller pieces, remnants of the toxins used to produce the bags can contaminate soil and groundwater. Secondly, plastic bags are made from substances derived from fossil fuels. Thus, their manufacture contributes to global warming and our reliance on these dirty fossil fuels.
A fee on plastic bags would help Maryland cut down on the amount of waste produced from the bags. In Washington, DC, a five-cent fee was applied to plastic bags starting on January 1st of this year; the results have been astounding. Shop owners across the city have reported that since the measure was put in place, plastic and paper bag waste has been cut half. This fee incentivizes using reusable shopping bags and helps consumers to be more mindful of their plastic bag use.
If some consumers do choose to pay the fee and use the plastic bags, the added income will benefit the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, which will aid in funding the long-overdue restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
We urge you to support SB 462.
[1]“Plastic Bags in US _ to Pay or Not to Pay?” Melissa Eddy. 22 February 2010. ABCnews.com.
<http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wirestory?id=9906178&page=2>.
[2]“First Year of Reusable Bag Program a Big Green Success.” Andrea Moran. 20 February 2009. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. <http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=1238>
[3]“D.C. shoppers opt for roughing it over paying 5-cent bag tax,” Steve Hendrix. Washingtonpost.com. 23 January 2010. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/22/AR2010012202151.html>
