KINGSTON – A local law
that would ban single-use plastic shopping bags was enthusiastically supported
by most of the about 20 people who spoke at a public hearing Tuesday night.
Joe Bergstein, of the Town of New Paltz Environmental Conservation Board,
noted his town was among the first in New York State to enact a local
ban.
“Our board concurs with the county legislature’s proposed
single-use checkout bags along with a mandatory charge on recyclable paper
checkout bags,” Bergstein said. “This hybrid solution has
been highly effective elsewhere in reducing plastic bag use and encouraging
the switch to reusable bags.”
Among the critics were a representative of a convenience store association
and a manager of the Kingston ShopRite. Also, Steve Goodman of Rosendale,
who pointed to studies on problems that can arise from reusable bags,
routinely used to carry packaged meat, which can often leak, and even
from produce.
“Reusable bags need to be washed every time used. There’s
a danger on the inside from foods and the outside from the environment.
Things like E.Coli, salmonella.” Goodman said the studies show that
only 15 percent of reusable bags are ever washed.
Exempt from Ulster County’s version of the law would be standalone
restaurants not a part of grocery stores, many of which depend on takeout
business.
The legislature will continue its review of the proposed local law and
vote at a later date.
