
The Maine Legislature Could Soon Repeal the Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban
The ban on single-use plastic bags is arguably the biggest change to ever happen to Maine's retail landscape.
While it was initially supposed to go into effect in April 2020, the ban's implementation was delayed over concerns that it would promote the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The ban was delayed a second time over supply chain concerns. It finally went into effect on July 1st, 2021.
Under the ban, stores are prevented from bagging customer items in non-reusable plastic bags. The stores may provide recycled paper bags or re-usable bags, but must charge a 5-cent fee for each bag used.
The law says, in part:
Stores may provide recycled paper bags or reusable bags for their customers. Grocery stores, box stores, and other large retail stores that provide carry-out bags must collect a 5-cent fee for each bag except for reusable bags not made of plastic, such as cloth bags with stitched handles, which may be given away at no cost.
You can read the full verbiage of the law on the Department of Environmental Protection website.
Yes, we feel that some parts of the law are a little vague, too.
Now, it looks like the law may soon be modified or even repealed altogether.
Bills Before the Maine Legislature
According to an article on the Maine Wire website, there are two proposed bills before the Maine Legislature dealing with that plastic bag ban.
The first one, LD 56 — An Act to Remove the 5 Cent Fee for Bags in Retail Stores , has the goal of allowing the ban to continue, but with the elimination of the 5-cent fee for giving customers paper bags.
The other bill, LD 69 -An Act to Repeal the Law Restricting the Use of Certain Plastic, Paper and Single-use Bags, has the goal of completely eliminating the restrictions on single-use plastic bags.
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We'll keep an eye on these bills as they work their way through the legislature.
Were They Ever Really Single-Use Bags?
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say those plastic bags were never single-use. Yes, we brought our groceries and toiletries home in them, but then we always found other uses for them. They were mini-trash bags for our rooms & cars, they were poo bags for when we cleaned out the cat's litterbox, and they were lunch bags for the kids.
What unique uses did you have for your 'single-use' bags? Let us know by sending us a message inside our app.