BRUNSWICK

Brunswick Town Manager John Eldridge is reminding the public the town’s ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect Sept. 1.

The council in March banned single-use plastic bags with an ordinance that becomes enforceable by a warning and then a fine. Eldridge said he has noticed some stores are still carrying plastic bags.

The group Midcoast Bring Your Own Bags raised money to donate reusable bags for community members. As of Tuesday, there are nearly 70 bags left for pickup at no cost at the town clerk’s office.

In March, Councilor Steve Walker said the ban makes the most sense environmentally and in terms of enforcement and was preferable to alternatives.

Walker received a stack of letters written by a fourth-grade class at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School that expressed support for the ban.

“That’s what I’m here for, to look out for the next generation,” he said.

The vote followed a lengthy public discussion, with critics of the proposal wanting to make clear that they did not oppose environmentally conscious efforts, but felt as though their choice was being taken away with a ban. At a March 6 council meeting, several residents voiced support for a 5- cent fee on both paper and plastic bags, which they felt was a less restrictive option.

The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags in hopes people will opt for reusable bags, mitigating environmental impact. The proposed ban does not include produce or product bags, newspaper bags or bags provided by pharmacies that contain prescription medication. The ban also does not extend to a re-used bag or a once-used bag that might be used at places like thrift or antique stores.

In simple terms, the ban would not allow a business to provide a plastic bag to a customer at the point of sale. Penalties range from a warning for the first violation to fines up to $500.

Proponents of the ordinance said in the two years they have worked on the issue, they sent direct mailings to 75 businesses in town, collected 1,400 signatures in support of the ban, and set up shop at community events and common areas to talk about the proposal, naming off outreach locations at the polls, the post office and the farmers market. Marcia Harrington, of Bring Your Own Bag, said in addition to face time with residents about the proposal, two public service announcements were created, and 60 appearances were featured in the local press concerning the ban.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com