City distributing reusable bags, state proposing plastic bag ban

The Annapolis resident was one of about 50 shoppers who were greeted by Mayor Ellen O. Moyer, Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson, D-Ward 4, and Safeway employees who were helping to distribute the new, free "Annapolis Recycles" reusable bags to everyone who walked through the store's doors.

 

And if Del. Todd Schuler, D-Baltimore County, has his way, all of Maryland will be using the reusable bags.

Mr. Schuler is introducing a bill calling for a statewide ban on plastic shopping bags, in order to decrease Maryland's dependence on non-biodegradable materials, preserve landfill space, reduce litter, protect the state's marine life and to minimize pollution.

Working with Alderman Sam Shropshire, D-Ward 7 - who introduced the failed bag ban in Annapolis - Mr. Schuler's bill is expected to be introduced next week in the House of Delegates.

His co-sponsor on the bill, Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick, also has introduced her own bill forming a task force to study the plastic bag problem.

"All the aldermen are very excited and are excited about the emphasis on reusable," Mr. Shropshire said. "We want to encourage markets and businesses in Annapolis to encourage their customers to use reusable bags, too."

Mr. Shropshire said one reusable bag, if used regularly, can replace 1,000 plastic checkout bags in a one-year span.

The bags' distribution is part of the city's environmental push after Ms. Moyer and the City Council decided to sack Mr. Shropshire's ban on plastic bags last month, instead opting for a different environmental approach.

The bills, each introduced by Ms. Moyer, included green building practice proposals and encouraging residents to recycle and use reusable materials.

Armed with about 150 bags, Maria Broadbent, the Environmental Programs Coordinator in the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs, stood at the front of the Safeway store on Forest Drive yesterday, greeting residents and explaining the uses of the bags to curious shoppers.

"I'm going to use them all the time," Ms. Timmons said of the city's free, off-white tote bags. "I think they'll be good for my canned goods and maybe even my school books."

Tuesday's bag giveaway also was a chance for Safeway officials, who vehemently opposed the banning of plastic bags, to encourage the use of reusable bags, which they support.

"We feel like we're reducing, reusing and recycling," said Greg TenEyck, director of public affairs for Safeway's Eastern Division. "It's about a change in people's attitudes."

Mr. TenEyck said each of the Safeway stores has a bin located at the entrance to the store for people to recycle their unwanted plastic bags. He said the bags from the bin are shipped to the grocer's distribution center in Upper Marlboro where it is bundled and sold to a company which uses the recycled plastics for decking materials.

Currently, Safeway and the other grocery stores in the city - Giant and Grauls Market - offer customers a choice of plastic or paper. They also sell reusable bags for about $1 each.

Local grocer Whole Foods announced last year it would quit using plastic bags at its location at the Annapolis Harbour Center, eventually sacking plastic at all of its stores nationwide.