Maine Bag Ban Update…With COVID-19, Is the Ban Still On?
Change of Plans
Maine was ready to implement a ban on single-use plastic bags, and then with COVID-19, everything changed. Disposable plastic bag bans have gained some major momentum at the state-wide level in the past year. The bag ban movement is something we’ve tracked for many years as you can see in what is likely the best map of all bag bans. Bag bans are the result of increased plastic trash and litter and have caused a shift towards reusable bags. We have been helping our customers find the best reusable shopping bags for retail use for many years now. This is something we have been able to help with even more as more bag bans have been passed. Although, recent events have impacted many single-use plastic bag bans, like the one in Maine.
Background of Bag Bans in Maine
Last June, Maine passed a ban on disposable plastic shopping bags. The law also imposed a 5-cent fee on paper bags. Everything was set to go into action on April 22, 2020, which fittingly enough, is Earth Day. The state-wide bag ban was a logical next step given the increase in plastic bag bans and fees throughout the state. In the years leading up to the passage of Maine’s bag ban, 24 municipalities in the state passed laws either banning or levying fees on plastic bags.
Delayed Start
The spread of COVID-19 is impacting just about everything, and it turns out Maine’s bag ban is no exception. Officials in Maine voted to delay the start of the bag ban. Everything about the bag ban is staying the same, it’s only the implementation date that is changing. The law will ban single-use plastic bags and impose a 5-cent fee on paper bags. The bag ban in Maine is now scheduled to start on January 15, 2021. This delay will allow officials to deal with important issues and decisions surrounding COVID-19.
Pushing back the start date until next year buys more time to effectively roll out the ban at a time that will hopefully be easier for consumers and businesses. Implementing a bag ban can be a trying time. Retail employees are often on the frontlines explaining the ban to consumers and enforcing the measure. Shoppers also need to get into the habit of using reusable bags. In normal times, these changes could be considered stressful. In light of everything happening with COVID-19, implementing the bag ban is unnecessary stress.
Working Alone But Together
Officials in Maine are doing what is best for their residents by delaying the bag ban. We’ll get there soon enough and the ban will be rolled out in the New Year. In the meantime, you can do your part to help your customers adapt to any bag bans currently in place or about to be implemented in their communities by creating custom reusable shopping bags. We have been in the business of supplying custom, eco-friendly reusable bags for over 10 years. Many of our bags are certified reusable bags recognized by CalRecycle, along with holding several distinctions and certifications, including GOTS, Fairtrade, ISO 9001, and FEDEX.
Contact us if you have questions or want more info on any of our products or working with us. We are here for you and ready to ship to marketers and retailers in Maine and all over the world to get the customized reusable bags you need to ensure your business runs smoothly.
You can also get started right now and design your custom bags for retail and marketing!
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