http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808120409
August 12, 2008
Plastic bag ban is introduced by Red Bank council
Would fine shops that don't comply
By LARRY HIGGS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU
Banning the plastic bag in the borough could be decided in two weeks.
An ordinance that would ban, by Jan. 1, all plastic bags that cannot
be recycled or composted was introduced unanimously by the Borough
Council on Monday night but not without some concerns raised by
Councilwoman Mary Grace Cangemi. Cangemi has worked with council
members Michael DuPont and Kathleen Horgan on the ordinance, but she
and DuPont have had differences about whether to voluntarily or
legally regulate plastic bags.
"Councilman DuPont and I are on the same page on the intent and on the
environment," Cangemi said after the meeting. "The real issue is how
do we get them (bags) in the recycling stream and out of the river,
the streets and yards?"
Cangemi contends the ordinance does not say if plastic bags will be
allowed to be used if they can be recycled. While the ordinance allows
compostable plastic bags, she said they require industrial composting,
which is a different process.
"I want to make sure we create the desired outcome and reduce plastic
bags in our environment and landfills without falling victim to some
unintended consequence," she said.
DuPont said the issue has been debated for eight months, and while
that debate has raised awareness, action should be taken.
The proposed ordinance carries a $100 fine for businesses using
plastic bags that are nonrecyclable, nonreusable or cannot be
composted. It would levy a $200 fine for the second offense in the
same year and a $500 fine for each additional violation in the same year.
A public hearing is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at borough hall, 90
Monmouth St.
DuPont said he has met with business owners about the idea and with
officials from the RiverCenter downtown business alliance. The idea
also has been reviewed by the council's public works and education and
technology committees and the Environmental Commission, he said.
During the debate, the borough started collecting plastic grocery bags
at drop-offs for voluntary recycling, as has Foodtown. The borough and
Red Bank Charter School also have been involved with an education
campaign about plastic bag use, and students designed a slogan and
logo for 100 reusable shopping bags the borough gave to residents.
"We need to step up and say the reasons are greater to pass this than
not," DuPont said. "It makes a statement that Red Bank is protecting
its natural resources."
DuPont said he has researched other plastic bag regulations from
Europe and San Francisco. Businesses can sell reuseable plastic
shopping bags to customers for a nominal fee, he said.
Cangemi said one difference between San Francisco's ordinance and the
borough's is that, in San Francisco, plastic bags and food waste are
collected and composted together. She said places that have banned
plastic grocery bags have seen increased use of heavier plastic bags.
Democrats lead by DuPont have proposed and withdrawn ordinances that
eventually would ban plastic bags. Provisions of that ban would have
been phased in, requiring businesses to have recycling bins for
plastic bags and to offer bags made from alternative materials as an
option. Originally, by June 1, 2009, use of plastic bags would be
prohibited, and stores would have to offer recyclable, reuseable or
compostable bags to customers.
DuPont estimated that it costs the borough 17 cents a bag to dispose
of plastic grocery bags.
"This ordinance has been bantered for almost a year. It's time to
act," he said. "If there are ways to tweak it to eliminate concerns,
I'm willing to sit down."
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
