FREEPORT

The ban on single-use plastic bags in Freeport passed Tuesday with a vote of 804-501, a tally that was closer than expected in the absence of vocal opposition. Passage makes Freeport the second community, after York, to enact such a ban.

No one spoke at a public hearing on May 25 regarding the ordinance and, according to Town Clerk Christine Wolfe on Tuesday, there was no group that has shown opposition to the ordinance.

Once enacted, the ordinance would affect businesses that receive at least 2 percent of their revenue from food sales. The ordinance would also enact a 5-cent fee for paper bags at those businesses.

The ban will not stop clothing stores or many other retailers in Freeport from using plastic bags and takeout foods will also be exempted from the plastic ban or paper fee.

There are only two businesses in town that would actually be affected by the ban — Shaw’s Supermarket and Bow Street Market.

Bow Street made the decision to ban the single-use plastic bags over a year ago. Bow Street Manager Jim Frey said last spring they were not seeking punitive measures against their customers by making them pay for the paper bags that commonly cost stores like Bow Street between 12 and 18 cents per bag.

Frey said it was more important to Bow Street to put out friendly reminder signs in front of their store to change the behaviors of their customers.

Shaw’s, on the other hand, would have to plan for the changes, something

Community Relations Manager Teresa Edington said the grocer is ready for.

“At Shaw’s, like many local communities, we care about the environment. Our stores, offices and distribution centers currently participate in many programs that promote recycling, cardboard baling, plastics recycling, zero waste programs, etc. To reduce the use of plastic and paper bags, we continually encourage our customers to bring in reusable bags for their shopping orders. We also have available at our stores other shopping bag alternatives that further promotes the use of reusable bags,” Edington said.

In addition, Shaw’s said it will continue to comply with all local ordinances regarding the use of plastic bags.

At the May 25 public hearing, Meredith Broderick said she worked on the initiative when she was in high school two years ago. She said at the hearing that it’s one of the projects she’s felt most passionate about in her life.

“We have the opportunity here to make a really big difference in Freeport as a town,” Broderick said.

Broderick said people visit Freeport to shop at places like L.L. Bean — places that promote the outdoors. Broderick believes the ban could even further boost the town’s image, demonstrating its environmentalism.

Shaw’s & Bow St.

• THERE ARE ONLY two businesses in town that would actually be affected by the ban — Shaw’s Supermarket and Bow Street Market.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com