SACO — In September, the City Council passed a ban on Styrofoam containers used for take-out food sales. The council is now considering a proposal that would prohibit grocery stores from using single use plastic bags, encouraging the use of reusable bags.

The proposal was discussed at a City Council workshop Monday. Under the proposed ordinance change, shoppers could purchase paper bags for 5 cents each if they did not bring reusable bags to cart home their groceries.

The proposal would apply to stores that sell food, but would not impact restaurants or take-out businesses. City Administrator Kevin Sutherland said the council could change the proposal so that it would not apply to convenience stores.

Other cities in the state and across the country have imposed similar bans.

“We’re a coastal community,” said Councilor Eric Cote, noting the impact that bags have on ocean life. According to the global nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation, one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year when they become trapped in plastic or eat it.

Cote said in Portland, the number of people bringing reusable grocery bags rose from 10 to 80 percent after a bag fee went into effect in the city.

Cote said plastic bags can also jam up systems at recycling plants, and encouraging people to bring their own grocery bags will save grocery stores money.

“We live in a state with paper mills,” said Councilor David Precourt, noting that trees were a renewable resource. He said he didn’t agree with charging people to pay five cents for a paper bag.

Councilor Roger Gay said he would consider not implementing a charge for paper bags, if the City Council would agree pass the ordinance without it.

“The most important goal is to get rid of plastic (bags),” he said.

Precourt also said he thought the proposal, if implemented, would drive “business across the river” to Biddeford. “My wife uses reusable bags, but she doesn’t need a law to do it,” he said.

Councilor William Doyle said he thought it was an “admirable goal,” but the city should wait until the new ban on Styrofoam is more established before it moves forward with another ban.

Councilor Alan Minthorn suggested the city instead do a public relations campaign and not burden businesses at this time with an onerous law.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].