More request exemption from proposed plastic bag fee

By Linda Smith Hancharick
WARWICK — The manager of the Warwick Farmers’ Market made the case on behalf of farmers in the town who have markets on their property to be able to use plastic carry-out bags in an effort to curb food contamination.
Penny Steyer told the town board that these farm markets operate under state and federal law, specifically the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2016. The Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) protocols created include ways to keep food contamination from occurring.
What they found was that cross contamination between foods was a big issue.
The town has just introduced a measure that would put a five cent fee on each carry-out bag used at any location in the Town of Warwick outside of the villages.
This, they hope, will stem the use of plastic and paper bags in the town which currently adds up to about 11 million a year.
Steyer said that, although these reusable bags are washable, very few people actually do wash them. So, if a reusable bag is used to carry meat that leaks, then the bag is used a few days later for vegetables without being laundered, chances are higher that the vegetables will be contaminated from the meat.
That can cause cross contamination and result in sickness.
“Look at the New York State initiative,” said Steyer. “They found that typical carry-out bags were less harmful (to the environment) than the film produce bags that tend to go right to waste. So we would like to claim our exemption through the Food Safety Modernization Act.”
The legislation Steyer speaks of makes rules that farm markets must follow in order to prevent food contamination. For example, meats must be packaged separately from all produce and eggs. Even if the meat has been sealed and frozen, it must be packaged separately.
She asked the Town Board to consider a provision for these farm stands similar to the ones made for pharmacies, dry cleaners and liquor stores.
“As a town where agriculture is our primary industry, the safety of the food chain and the consumers that our market serves is key to the ongoing viability of agriculture,” said Steyer.
Contamination was never an issue in Ireland, according to Carolyn Martin. Martin said Ireland began a program like this back in 2002 when she still lived there; they were the first nation to impose a plastic bag levy and it was 15 cents per bag.
“There was very little opposition,” said Martin. “In one year, plastic bag use was decimated. It was 90 percent less. There was never a contamination issue.”
Village mayor supports the lawMichael Newhard, mayor of the Village of Warwick, commended the board for entertaining the new law. After just hosting a public hearing for purchasing the development rights to several farms in the town, Newhard said the five cents per bag levy is a natural follow.
“I think it’s interesting we just had a public hearing on PDR, which in my eyes was the beginning of us really recognizing what it means to think about preservation in a big way, in the big picture,” said Newhard. “Now, it comes down to details. I applaud you.”
This law will not affect the businesses inside of the villages, Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton reminded the audience.
Newhard said the village is a different situation than areas in the town.
“If the village is to entertain a similar law, we would first reach out to those small businesses to see if we can come up with a local law that makes sense for them and will also help the environment,” Newhard said.
Applause and concernsOther residents also applauded the town for its initiative.
“Thank you for doing this,” said Doug Stage. “Thank you for your leadership. Eleven million bags in the Town of Warwick is ridiculous.”
Resident Robert Baxter said he got used to the five cent deposit on soft drink bottles and cans but that was because he got that nickel back.
“I’m not getting this nickel back,” said Baxter. “This is pure profit for them. I think the money should go to an environmental charity.”
Another resident, Bruce Wills, said the board should not move forward with this as many people in town don’t even know about it.
“It should be on the ballot,” he said.
Jackie Gesner, store manager at Price Chopper in Warwick, is in favor of this program.
“We consider ourselves partners,” said Gesner. “We are committed to reducing the plastic waste, disposable waste.”
And, she said, Price Chopper does indeed reward shoppers with three cents for each reusable bag used every time they shop.
“A fee program would jump-start the process, discouraging people from the single-use plastic bag and encouraging them to use a long-term solution – a tote or a box,” said Gesner.
The public hearing continuesThe Town of Warwick is getting feedback from its residents on a local law that would add a nickel to your bill for each plastic or paper bag used to carry-out items from stores within the town, but not the villages.
There are exemptions, including for people using WIC and SNAP programs and home delivery services. In-store vegetable and bakery bags are also exempt, as well as dry cleaning bags, prescription bags and liquor store bags.
The public hearing continues on March 22 at 7:15 p.m. at the town hall on Kings Highway.