Plastic bag fee for Howard County

Plastic bag fee for Howard County

Proponents are quick to point out it’s not a tax, it’s just a five-cent fee on plastic bags that takes effect on Thursday in Howard County, because shoppers can choose not to use them, but the owner of Boarman’s Old Fashioned Meat Market in Highland doesn’t like the alternative.

IF THEY WANT PLASTIC BAGSSTARTING TOMORROW.

SOMERETAILERS... ARENABOUT IT.

WMAR 2 NEWSHAGER HAS MORE ON THEICONCERNS.46:51“Starting on Thursdayhere in Howard County, if youwant retailers to use plasticbags like this one to bag upyour goods, theycost you a nickel apiece”(TRACK) PROPONENTS ARE QUICKTO POINT OUT ITPLASTIC BAGS, BECAUSE SHOPPERSCAN CHOOSE NOT TO USE THEM,BUT THE OWNER OF BOARMANFASHIONED MEAT MARKET INHIGHLAND DOESALTERNATIVE.

(NAT SOT) 42:40(wide)“Most stores donreusable bags in the store,because theground for COVID” (TRACK) BUTTHE HOWARD COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS WHO PUSHED THE FEETHROUGH DONCONCERNED.

(SOT)---ChristianaMercer-Rigby/CountyCouncilwoman 31:59“I knowsome stores have asked for ano-touching policy.

Only touchthe things you want to buy,and stores have changed theirpolicy as theyand as the science has shownus that surface contact is amuch lower risk thanrespiratory contact” (TRACK)A LOWER RISK, WHICH STOREOWNERS LIKE GEORGIE BOARMANSAY IS TOO MUCH RISK IN TMIDST OF A PANDEMIC.(SOT)---Georgie Boarman/StoOwner 43:20“Wepeople not to bring them inand if they do bring them in,they have to bag their owngroceries, because I donwant to risk my employeeshealth or anyone elsein here.

We installed a sinkout front to make everyowash hands.

Not allowed twear gloves in” (TRACK) THEBILLTHE TIMING MAY NOT BE PERFECT,THEIR BID TO HELP THEENVIRONMENT BY REDUCING THEUSE OF PLASTIC BAGS IS ALSOLONG OVERDO.

(SOT)---OpelJones/County Councilman 35:53“We talk about this all thetime.

Itthose who do have thesehardships, but climate chanca” (SOT) 44:33“Itmakes sense.

Itrying to save theenvironment, but right now, itjust doesnmean a year from now?

Yes.

Sixmonths from now.

Once wegotten COVID under control, Ican see doing something”(ST-UP) 48:16“Critics alsowonder how the county willtrack the number of bags soldand the money taken in fromthose sales.

Reporting inHoward County, Jeff Hager,WMAR 2 News”IT'S BEEN A CHALLENG