Contact your legislators today to ban single-use plastic carryout bags in Maine

The Maine Legislature will soon be voting on a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags statewide. Plastic bags are an unnecessary nuisance that threatens wildlife and is costs our towns money.

Last month Maine banned foam food containers because they pollute and remain in the environment for centuries. Let's continue working together to further protect the Maine we care about by getting rid of unnecessary single-use plastic bags.

Ask your legislator to support LD 1532: An Act to Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags now. Help us protect our lands, waters, and wildlife from this unnecessary and wasteful product.

Subject: Please support a statewide ban on single-use plastic carryout bags.

Your Letter:

I am writing to urge you to support LD 1532: An Act to Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags, which is endorsed by a broad range of groups including the Retail Association of Maine and Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association.

Plastic bags are a nuisance that pollute our beautiful state and are costing our towns money by harming the effectiveness of our recycling programs.

Despite what plastic manufacturers might say, the fact is only 1% of single-use plastic bags are recycled properly. Well intentioned Mainers often improperly place single-use plastic bags in their curbside recyclables. This leads to high contamination rates that cost towns money. Maine recycling programs are threatened by recent changes in global recycling markets, and plastic bags are exacerbating the problem. That is why 24 Maine towns have passed ordinances to eliminate single-use plastic bags.

As the fourth most commonly littered item in the U.S, single-use plastic carryout bags are also a major source of pollution. The lightweight nature of single-use carryout bags allows them to be carried by wind or through storm drains and enter the ocean more easily than reusable bags. When plastic bags enter the marine ecosystem, they entangle wildlife and are too often ingested by whales, sea turtles, seals, and birds.

The number of states with plastic bag laws is growing. California, Hawaii, and New York have plastic bag laws. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are all considering similar legislation.

Maine doesn't need single-use plastic bags. Please support LD 1532 as a common-sense measure that would protect Maine's environment and support local businesses by creating a consistent statewide approach for dealing with plastic pollution.

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