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2/16/09
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Lawmakers to reconsider bill proposing plastic-bag charge New measure applies to all retailers, lowers fee to 10 cents
PORTLAND, Maine — A legislator from Leeds is recycling a failed proposal to charge Mainers for plastic bags used to wrap their purchases. But the latest version lowers the proposed fee from 20 cents to a dime a bag and applies to all retailers, not just grocers.
Democrat John Nutting said his proposal is designed to accelerate the switch to reusable bags and keep plastic out of the state’s environment and landfills.
“Even if these bags are corn-based and may eventually biodegrade, they’re taking up valuable landfill space,” he said.
Although the earlier bill introduced just over a year ago never got to a vote, it prompted Maine supermarket chains to increase their promotion of reusable bags.
Money collected under Nutting’s bill would be earmarked for a state fund that has been used to promote recycling efforts.
In other states where similar plastic-bag fees have been proposed, legislatures so far have opted for more voluntary approaches or recycling laws. Fees are charged in other countries, including Ireland, where a 33-cent-a-bag fee is credited with cutting use of disposable bags by more than 90 percent as of last year.
Some advocates estimate that as many as 15 percent of Mainers now bring their own bags to grocery stores, up from perhaps 5 percent a few years earlier. Nutting maintains that shoppers could do a lot better with a little encouragement.
Maine retailers, however, say the legislation could lead to disruptions and delays in checkout lines, and that voluntary promotions that encourage the use of reusable bags are a better solution.
“We’ve sold about 2 million reusable bags since we started offering them about two years ago,” said Judy Chong, spokeswoman for Shaw’s Supermarkets, referring to the company’s stores throughout New England.
Hannaford Bros. had been offering a 5-cent-a-bag credit to customers who brought their own bags, although that practice ended last week, said Michael Norton, a company spokesman. He said the nickel wasn’t driving participation anymore.
“We feel like we’re not giving them a real large incentive,” he said. “Throughout the year, I think you’ll see us do some more pragmatic things.”
When asked about the 10-cent fee proposal, Maine shoppers had mixed feelings. Many said they already use reusable bags, but others said they like to get some disposable plastic ones that can be used to line trash baskets, clean cat litter or dispose of dog droppings.
“I would have to buy other disposable bags if I didn’t have these,” said Richard Shilling of Portland.
The Maine Merchants Association has taken no position on the bill, but its executive director questioned the need for it.
“I think the Legislature needs to understand what’s currently going on in the industry,” Curtis Picard said. “There’s a lot of shifting in customer behavior that’s already happening.”
Nutting’s bill goes to a public hearing Feb. 24 before the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee.
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So Nutting is concerned that plastic bags are taking up space in our landfills, well so is all the trash hauled from out of State, actually I would venture and say that Nutting is taking up space in Augusta - Fraser just announced another 500+ layoffs and in the past week the best our legislature can come up with it a fee on plastic bags (which by the way is already in the price of the product you purchase from the retailer) banning smoking, and of course attack the cell phone ------- anyone see a problem here? We as voters continue to send the same head in the sand fools to Augusta, and wonder why nothing ever changes, keep in mind the definition of insanity:
Insanity: To perform the same act over and over again - while this time expecting a different result...........
very well said lifeinmaine....ditto.......vote out the idiots
Proof that we have to many legislators with too much time on their hands.
We've got a shaky economy, rising unemployment, and entire industries that are tripping over themselves to see who can leave the state the quickest, and this guy is taking on PLASTIC BAGS again?
Bravo.
Remember this next time he's up for reelection.
If 75% of Maine's legislators were removed from office overnight and never replaced, not a single person would ever notice.
I propse legislation that we change the Leeds Democrats name to John Nutty, please Augusta, find this man something to do. We need a fee on plastic bags like a hole in the head. Every Mainer I know already recycles thes bags!!! Mr. Nutty doesn't want anyone to smoke in the parks. If anyone in Augusta area is bored on Feb. 24, Please go to this public hearing and tell Nutty how stupid his bills are... The majority of us will be working that day and can't make it down....
All these responses are so true. When are these idiots in Augusta gonna start taking on the real issues. Are they living in a different world then we are???? Lets vote for leaders next time.
Where was Nutty a year ago when this come up at 20 cents a bag? Under a rock? I recycle my plastic bags thank you, perhaps with so much time on your hands you should visit some grocery and retail stores and see they have bins to put such plastic bags in for.....(drum roll please) RECYCLING! Oh and let me also add the reason why they do this....(oh this is good) to keep these bags out of landfills to begin with! Sure not EVERYONE is going to recycle their bags, but about everyone I know already does. Then the burden retailers and stores will have, delays in line because someone will complain they used 1 bag at 10 cents to put just one item in...or it could fit more items in, etc. Before you know it that 5 minute store visit became an hour all for a gallon of milk.
This nutcase needs to get out more often.
This is nothing more then a BIG new tax dressed up pretty as a fee
This is not a bad idea, but it might be hard to implement. What about the idea of just banning them? Make people bring their own bags to the store or bring their stuff home in a cardboard box.
You have a point Bangorian......Sam's Club has been doing this for years. Lets take one weekend and try BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). I am sure most of us have at least one empty cardboard box or canvas bag to carry our own groceries.
whats wrong with plastic bags in a landfill, thats the purpose of a landfill isn't it...whos gives a rats behind if that plastic bag is going to be there a hundred years from now...can't be anyworst than all the other crap thats in there...tv's, radios, plastic bottles, metal, batteries, tires, and the list just keeps going on....its not as if your going to build your house there...