Let's Kick the Plastic Bag Habit

Two years ago, I “kicked the habit” and quit smoking. It took many tries, as old habits die hard. While I'm not a fan of excess governmental regulation, sometimes a little help from Big Brother would be a blessing and I’ve always thought that banning cigarettes would be a smart place to start.

This fall, Little Brother will help us kick another bad habit that we can't seem to shake ourselves, the single-use plastic shopping bag. At the end of October, Southampton Village retailers will no longer offer single-use plastic shopping bags at the check-out. Litter in our parks, beaches, streets and burgeoning landfills will be reduced as you B.Y.O.Bag to the market.

Two years ago, Mayor Mark Epley created the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee which we dubbed "SAVE" (Southampton Advocates for the Village Environment). Our charge is to recommend environmental initiatives that can reduce our village's impact on the environment.

Initially, we felt the weight of the world’s environmental problems sitting heavily upon our shoulders.  After all, how could a dozen volunteers have any impact whatsoever when pollution is coming at us from around every corner?   

So we ran an educational cell phone recycling drive that benefited women and children in need. Then we asked our mayor to sign the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, join ICLEI and enhance our building code by adding Energy Star’s energy efficient building standards. SAVE was off to a great start and there was no shortage of good ideas or energetic volunteers to research them.

SAVE enjoys a good relationship with Sustainable Southampton, the Town Council’s environmental committee. In 2010, they asked for our input on legislation that would eliminate single-use plastic bags while encouraging the use of reusable shopping bags made of renewable fibers such as cotton and flax. 

SAVE decided to get involved.

After researching 30 years of failed recycling programs, we proposed and the Southampton Village Board of Trustees , our Shopping Bag Ordinance on April 26, 2011.  The sole nay vote was cast by Trustee Paul Robinson who said, right or wrong, that there are too many laws on this matter already. 

But our new local law proved to be the first in New York State and only the third on the East Coast. We landed smack in the forefront of the environmental picture and “we’re proud to be there,” Mayor Epley said.  We couldn't agree more!

We live in what my friends call "God’s Little Green Acre," plumped to perfection with flora and fauna. So it came as no surprise to us that our village board was willing to step up to the plate when asked to eliminate one more threat to that beautiful and rare landscape. Whether you're a beachgoer, fisherman, hiker or biker, we know how important the environment is to you.

It will take time to adjust to tossing a reusable shopping bag into the car, just as it took me time to kick that nasty smoking habit. But, in the end, we’ll be better for it as will generations of East Enders that follow.    

Join us in practice and in spirit and Bring Your Own Bag with pride!