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By Laura Miller
Plastic pollution is a hazard to public health, wildlife, and our environment. Earlier this year, legislation was introduced in Delaware’s General Assembly that will cut back on the amount of plastic pollution by banning single use plastic bags. This ban restricts retailers over a certain size from giving plastic bags to customers. Only under certain circumstances would plastic bags still be given, including for damp or loose food items, or for hazardous chemical items such as pesticides. The ban does not restrict restaurants; nor does it impose any fee.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in support of this ban by contacting the legislators or testifying at Committee hearings. Governor Carney signed this bill into law on July 29th. The bag ban will take effect on January 1st, 2021.
This ban is an excellent and necessary first step towards reducing our harmful dependence on plastics, but we need to go further to keep our communities and environment safe. By addressing other plastic bag alternatives such as paper bags and Styrofoam, we can better encourage the use of reusable bags at checkout and reduce unnecessary waste.
Do not hesitate to email our Director of Advocacy & External Affairs or call 302.413.5057 with any questions or concerns.
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Laura Miller was an Outreach Coordinator at Delaware Nature Society