Earlier this fall, Maine State Representative Ted Koffman (D-Bar Harbor) proposed a bill which would place a fee on single use plastic bags in Maine. A democrat from Bar Harbor and co-chair of the Natural Resources Committee of Maine, Representative Koffman is asking Maine to take leadership in the ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ movement. But it seems Maine isn’t ready – or at least not in this legislative session. The upcoming short session is reserved primarily for ‘emergency’ bills, so Maine’s lawmakers decided not to bring it forward. Representative Koffman, however, is still working with grocery chains, the Maine Grocer’s Association, nonprofit groups and entrepreneurs to continue the push toward reusable bags.
Representative Koffman’s plan was loosely based on the ‘Plas Tax’ which began in Ireland in 2002. Ireland’s action was driven by an effort to control litter — and resulted in a bill that required retailers to charge a tax (equivalent to 33 cents US) for each plastic bag used by shoppers. Ireland also ran an awareness campaign encouraging people to bring their own bag. In a matter of months, 90% of shoppers in Ireland had transitioned to reusable bags. The tax has proven to be wildly successful, as 5 years later nearly everyone is on board – to the point that there is a stigma associated with plastic bag use.
Learn more about Representative Koffman’s plans for tackling the paper/plastic dilemma at mainetoday.com
