Baltimore Further Delays Ban and Tax on Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Baltimore has reportedly delayed implementation of its ban on single-use plastic bags. The retailers in the city will have time until 1 October, 2021 to comply with the ordinance. This is the second time the city has postponed the ban. It was delayed once from January to July, on account of economic troubles due to coronavirus pandemic.

Announcing the decision, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott noted that more time is required to complete distribution of reusable bags and to provide necessary education to community members. The retailers and residents could use the additional time to adopt the important change, he added.

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The Comprehensive Bag Reduction ordinance was introduced in 2019 by then-Councilman Bill Henry and supported by then-Council President Brandon Scott. It prohibits retailers from providing plastic bags with thickness less than 4 millimetres to customers, with exemption allowed for certain products. For any other bag offered to them, such as a paper bag or compostable bag, the retailers are supposed to collect a fee of 5 cents per bag.

Although some businesses have already started implementing changes, there are still voices that suggest that plastic bag tax may unfairly affect lower income residents.