Senate Bill 228 would repeal the law preventing local ordinances to ban plastic bags and allow communities to implement programs to reduce litter and waste
LANSING, Mich. (March 23, 2023) — This week, Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) introduced Senate Bill 228, legislation that would restore local control and aid community efforts to control litter and waste by allowing the implementation of plastic bag bans or any motion regulating the use or sale of plastic bags, or imposing any fee, charge, or tax on certain containers.
“Local governments are better positioned to respond to local needs when they can implement programs that directly benefit their communities,” said Sen. Shink. “The repeal of this ‘ban on bans’ removes unnecessary involvement from the state so that local governments’ policies reflect the population they serve. This legislation is a win-win for both the environment and for local government.”
According to National Geographic, more than 91 percent of the world’s plastics end up in landfills and incinerators or are lost in our waterways. Twenty-two million pounds of plastic is discarded in the Great Lakes every year, and plastic bags are among the top 12 items of debris found along coastlines. Not only do they pollute our Great Lakes, but they also release toxic chemicals into our soil, which end up in our bodies.
“Plastic pollution is disastrous to human, animal, and ecosystem health and nearly all plastic is not actually recyclable. Moreover, we know that most plastic bags, for example, end up in landfills or directly polluting Michigan’s beautiful rivers, forests, and other iconic landscapes,” said Missy Stults, PhD, Sustainability and Innovations Director with the City of Ann Arbor. “We can and should do better and that’s why we are excited to see this bill introduced.”
In communities and states where plastic bag bans have been implemented, there has been a reduction in bags littering in neighborhoods, roads, waterways, and parks. California’s plastic bag ban reduced the consumption of plastic bags by 71.5 percent, according to a study from the University of Sydney. Likewise, 100 percent of plastic bags were removed from their recycling system, where they damaged sorting machines and downgraded the quality of recycled materials. Restoring the ability of local governments to regulate plastic bags will protect Pure Michigan and the outdoor recreational opportunities that are so important to our state.
This legislation allows communities to take control of this growing issue and implement solutions as needed. Senate Bill 228 will now move on to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment for consideration.
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