Maryland may ban plastic carryout bags at retail shops
By MADISON HUNT
SILVER SPRING, Md. — A Maryland House committee on Friday voted to approve a bill prohibiting all retail establishments from distributing a plastic carryout bag at the point of sale.
HB314, the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, cross-filled with SB223 in the state Senate, would tackle the plastic pollution problem in the state, advocates said.
Advocates for the bill said reusable bags create less waste, reduce the state’s carbon footprint and will better the environment long term.
“Every step that we can take to reduce our society’s reliance on single-use plastics is a nod to our children’s future,” said Del. Brooke Lierman, D-Baltimore. “We want them to be able to go to the beach where their only concern is jellyfish, not plastic bags.”