The city of South Portland is set to follow the example of other municipalities both in Maine and across the country by imposing a 5-cent fee for single-use bags and by banning the use of Styrofoam food containers.

A final reading on the two measures is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. During a first reading last week the council was unanimous in its support of the new rules, and there was virtually no public comment.

In fact, since a workshop on the measures in early August, there has been hardly any reaction from the business community, which includes large retailers and mom-and-pop stores alike.

According to a council resolution in support of the single-use bag fee, which would include both plastic and paper bags, “from an environmental and economic perspective, the best alternative to single-use carryout bags is to shift to reusable bags for shopping.”

The resolution also states that the South Portland City Council “aims to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and litter and to protect the public health and welfare, including wildlife,” by implementing the bag fee.

The new bag fee ordinance calls on stores to collect 5 cents for each single-use bag and states that stores must post signs indicating the bag charge and separately itemize the bag fee on each receipt. In addition, no store is allowed to offer a rebate or reimburse the cost of the single-use bag.

Under the ordinance, the stores must keep records on single bag use and the fees collected for three years, but the stores may also keep the fees they collect to use for any lawful business purpose.

The ordinance applies to any market located in a permanent building, operating year-round that sells foodstuffs, meats, produce, household supplies, dairy products or other perishable items.

It also applies to any drug store, pharmacy, supermarket, grocery store, convenience food store, food mart, or other business engaged in the retail sale of a limited line of goods that includes milk, bread, soda and snack foods.

In terms of the ban on Styrofoam food and beverage containers, a City Council resolution states: “Disposable food containers made from polystyrene foam constitute a portion of the litter in city streets, parks and public places that is highly durable, buoyant and non-biodegradable and, therefore . . . the city desires to replace (these) food containers with reusable, recyclable or compostable alternatives (which) are readily available.”

– Kate Irish Collins