Statement: Mayor Young signs Baltimore’s plastic bag ban into law

Media Contacts
Kate Breimann

                                                                                            

Environment Maryland Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Monday, Jan. 13, 2020

CONTACT: 

Kate Breimann, Advocate, Environment Maryland, 276-229-9108, [email protected]

Emily Scarr, Director, Maryland PIRG, 859-221-4213, [email protected]

 

 Statement:  Mayor Young signs Baltimore’s plastic bag ban into law

  BALTIMORE — The Charm City has joined the rapidly growing group of cities across the United States that has banned retailers from giving customers plastic bags. Mayor Jack Young signed the Comprehensive Bag Reduction bill into law on Monday at the National Aquarium, which houses many species threatened in the wild by discarded single-use plastics. 

In response, Environment Maryland Advocate Kate Breimann released this statement:

“Environment Maryland is grateful for Mayor Young’s leadership on plastic pollution, and we’re excited that he signed this ordinance into law. Our staff and volunteers have talked to thousands of Baltimoreans about plastic pollution this year, and people are excited to ban single use plastic bags. They aren’t recyclable, they release toxic chemicals when they are burned in our city’s incinerator, and far too many end up littering our communities and waterways, where they hurt wildlife.”

In other cities that have adopted similar laws, banning plastic bags and adding a 5 cent fee on paper and reusable alternatives has reduced plastic use and encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags. We applaud Mayor Young, Council sponsor Bill Henry, and the City Council for enacting this important measure. We look forward to continuing to address plastic pollution by working with state Del. Brooke Lierman of Baltimoreto pass a statewide ban on plastic bags during this legislative session.”

 

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