The plastic bag debate continues

By Linda Smith Hancharick
WARWICK — Reduce, reuse, recycle – in that order.
That was the message last week from many who spoke in favor of the town’s proposal to add a five cent fee to each carry-out plastic bag provided to consumers from any retail establishment in the town.
The purpose is to encourage use of reusable bags for all purchases and decrease the number of plastic bags used in the Town of Warwick. This includes at ShopRite and Price Chopper, both located in the town.
For the majority of the approximately 35 people at the public hearing, this was met with enthusiasm.
“I would be absolutely delighted if this bill is passed,” said Kathleen Shannon, who brought props with her, including a cloth bag she has had since October 1997. “It’s been washed hundreds of times!”
Shannon said people who need plastic bags for other reasons can use the ones that come via newspaper deliveries and other deliveries where items are packed in plastic.
Not as clear cut to othersEdwin George said he uses the reusable bags but that he never seems to have enough of them and always ends up with a few plastic bags when he’s shopping. He looked at the proposal as penalizing people who don’t have the money to buy reusable bags. And, he said, there is a purpose to those plastic shopping bags besides carting groceries – like disposing of cat litter and trash. And keeping meats from running all over the other groceries.
“If it’s too much of a pain, people will shop elsewhere,” he said.
Home delivery is another issue. Those using this service, which is provided by ShopRite locally, can’t use reusable bags at this time. Someone suggested the groceries could be delivered in cardboard boxes, such as is the case at club stores, which do not use bags at all.
Changing attitudesWarwick alone uses 11 million plastic bags each year, according to estimates used by the town. And while many larger stores have recycle bins for the plastic bags, recycling them is not the answer since it is cheaper for companies to make new ones rather than recycle.
“Recycling is not the issue,” said resident Mary Makofske. “One hundred and two billion plastic bags are used by Americans each year. Less than five percent are recycled. The answer is to reduce the use of plastic bags. The fee reminds us there is a cost to this bag.”
ShopRite representative Shara Bernstein said the supermarket is in support of this initiative, adding that ShopRite takes great pride in the community.
“The three Rs are not in random order,” said Matthew Finn, who said his daughters have always been taught to compost, recycle and reuse. They use cereal bags for scooping cat litter.
“My hope is that when my kids grow up they will come across a plastic bag in the attic and say ‘remember when people used to bring home their groceries in these?’”
The proposal is to charge customers five cents for every carryout plastic and paper bag used at check out. It does not include bags without handles, like those used to package up produce or baked goods. People who use New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits will not be charged the fee.
Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton said he is waiting to hear from the local supermarkets about possibly offering reusable bags at a lesser cost to coincide with this initiative.
More to think aboutDeborah Young, a self-proclaimed “flaming liberal and tree hugger,” spoke against the proposal. She said she is concerned that the food industry is behind this to enrich their bottom line. They spend about $4 billion on plastic bags and she doesn’t see that coming back to the consumers.
In addition, she said she doesn’t want people to be shamed when they get bags at checkout because they are on SNAP or WIC programs.
“I love our environment,” said Young. “But this is not the way to do it. Don’t punish our citizens. Incentivize them.”
Sweeton said there are still many things to work out before this moves forward. This law would only affect businesses within the town outside of the villages. Villages would have to pass their own law.
There is another public hearing on this proposed local law on Thursday, March 8, at the town hall, 132 Kings Highway. It begins at 7:15 p.m.
Julia Calderon urged town lawmakers to move forward with this proposed local law.
“Warwick is a town with a conscience,” said Calderon. “I hope to have neighboring towns emulate us. Warwick again can lead the way.”
What do you think about the proposed local law? Go to warwickadvertiser.com and be part of the discussion.