Southampton Village's on stores and restaurants distributing certain plastic shopping bags , and a similar ban is expected to be under consideration by the Southampton Town Board in the near future.
Tip Brolin, the chair of the Sustainable Southampton Committee, pitched such a ban to the town board , but the issue has remained quiet since. It could now be the subject of another town board work session as soon as December.
Many in Southampton Village have praised the ban, while some business owners that it could be detrimental to their businesses and some residents see it as overlegislation.
In a comment left on a Patch article on the ban, reader Susan said, "All change is a bit disrupting at the start. Remember how much complaining went on when seat belt laws were passed. The real value comes in the way the changed behavior improves the lives and environment of all. Our collective futures rely on our ability to make small, purposeful changes and sacrifices for the benefit of all."
Reader David commented, "I support this legislation. 35 years ago while shopping for some food while visiting my family in England the cashier asked me for my bag I told her I didn't have one and it was explained to me that it was expected that everyone brought their own bag to shop. We are not there yet but it will come to pass where we bring our own bags when we shop or use paper ones. I have participated in the Towns Adopt a Highway Program for the last 15 years and I have picked up thousands of plastic bags off the side of the road. We can make a difference."
Paul Robinson, a former Southampton Village trustee who cast the sole dissenting vote on the village's ban, explained at the time that he thought a ban was excess government intrusion, and that educating consumers on reusing and recycling bags is the more preferable way to reduce negative environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags.
What is your opinion on the village's plastic bag ban, and would you support Southampton Town following suit? Let us know in the comments section below.
