BRUNSWICK
Residents and business owners may have the chance to speak for or against an ordinance to limit the use of plastic bags at Brunswick stores at a public hearing on Dec. 5. The date was set after a motion to create an ordinance charging 5 cents per paper bag failed on Monday.
Bangor, Belfast and now Brunswick are considering enacting a plastic bag ban, noted Council Chairwoman Sarah Brayman. Topsham voters on Nov. 8 approved a 5-cent fee on plastic bags within that town.
According to Brayman, some stores outside of Brunswick charge 5 cents for paper, 10 cents for a reusable plastic bag, $1 for a reusable canvas tote and perhaps higher for a thermal-lined bag.
“In comparing Brunswick to Topsham, I do think about our 66 miles of coastline,” Brayman said. “These plastic bags we see outside really do end up in Casco Bay.”
Brunswick’s Hannaford shoppers frequently use recyclable tote bags to carry out their grocery items, she said.
“I think this is something that our community will embrace,” Brayman said. “I think we are ready and should jump in wholeheartedly.”
Some disagreed, and not all councilors agreed that paper bags are a problem.
“Anything that bans or vilifies paper I’m not supporting,” Councilor Suzan Wilson said, recalling the state’s paper manufacturing heritage at mills outside of Brunswick. “I just feel bad about it.”
Whether paper or plastic, Councilor Alison Harris said temporary use is the issue.
“I would like to see a reduction in the use of all single-use bags,” she said.
Neither councilors Dan Harris nor John Perreault wanted to charge a fee for using paper bags.
Councilor David Watson said it should be a company’s business decision to charge a nickel fee for a paper bag that may cost 17 cents to make. Charging a fee should not be driven by social pressures, he added.
Getting people to use recyclable bags is the goal of the proposed plastic bag band. Talk of charging a 5 cent fee for having items placed in paper bags is aimed at encouraging recyclable bag use, too.
“It’s not a fee — it’s a reminder — let’s get on board, let’s go in the right direction. It’s the right thing to do,” said Councilor Kathy Wilson. “A nickel isn’t going to hurt anybody. If it does, I’ll pay the darn nickel.”
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