North Myrtle Beach Considers Further Expansion of Plastic Bag Ban

Action to Combat Environmental Damage

North Myrtle Beach, a renowned coastal resort city, is considering expanding its present ban on single-use plastic bags in a bid to reduce plastic pollution. The city officials held a robust debate on the matter during a workshop on Wednesday, keeping the myriad environmental issues associated with plastic use at the center of the discussion.

The Current Ban and Its Loophole

The city currently prohibits the distribution of thin, single-use plastic bags under an ordinance that was enacted in October 2022. However, this rule doesn’t extend to thicker bags, specifically those of 2.25-millimeter thickness, leading to a loophole being exploited by vendors and businesses alike.

Consequences of the Loophole

Brooke Blosser, a project manager for Coastal Conservation League who attended the meeting, conveyed that these thicker bags, despite their reusability, often end up being used only once, contributing to increased littering. “What happens is when these thick bags are treated as single-use bags, the amount of plastic litter is increased,” she highlighted.

In light of such insights raised during the meeting, campaigners contended for including these thicker bags within the purview of the existing ban.

Impact on Wildlife

The North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol echoed this concern but did not get the opportunity to present their arguments to the council. Linda Mataya, the group’s leader, expressed disappointment over the current regulation’s blind spot, stating, “It was an uproar like ‘What do you mean? We want this bag completely banned.”

Positive Effects of a Comprehensive Ban

The patrol’s members believe that a more extensive ban could benefit not only sea turtles but other species inhabiting the ocean depths as well. “It’s not just the sea turtles affected by these plastic bags. We’ve got whales, we’ve got dolphins, a whole bunch of seabirds,” she cited, recounting instances of birds entangled with discarded plastic bags that she had personally rescued.

Awaiting a Decision

Mayor Marilyn Hatley acknowledged the valid concerns voiced during the meeting and indicated that she would like to levy considerations from council members, environmental advocates, and local businesses before making a decision or modifying the existing ordinance. As such, no vote was cast during this preliminary workshop on Wednesday.

However, the resounding cry for a broader ban is clear from numerous environmentally-conscious citizens and conservation groups, and it is yet to be seen how officials respond to this call.

Source: HERE News Network