Annapolis and Baltimore Compete to Virtue Signal

Annapolis Styrofoam ban to begin in September

The prohibition on expanded polystyrene, or EPS, foam food service products is expected to begin in Annapolis.

These products, commonly referred to by the trademarked name Styrofoam, are prohibited for use and sale at food service businesses and grocery and convenience stores in the city of Annapolis as of Sept. 1.

Earlier this year, the city mailed letters to all food service businesses and grocers to begin using up the product in order to be in compliance. The grace period ran from Oct. 22, 2018, to Sept. 1. After Sept. 1, businesses using EPS foam for food service will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent violations.

But not to be out virtue signaled Baltimore bag ban would help kick plastic problem

We’re thrilled that the Baltimore City Council is considering a ban on single-use plastic bags. This legislation would reduce the use of plastic and shift consumer behavior toward reusable bags. Paper and compostable bags would still be available, but with a 5-cent surcharge proven effective to incentivize the use of reusables. Hundreds of cities and states across the country have passed similar measures, and some national chains and local businesses have voluntarily phased out or committed to phase out plastic bags and other single-use plastics. Baltimore has been a leader on reducing plastic pollution through our ban on foam food packaging, and now is the time to ban single-use plastic bags.

You might wonder how we could go on without something as ubiquitous in daily life as plastic bags, but it’s important to remember that we don’t need them. Plastic bags weren’t introduced in this country until the 1970s. We managed without them before, and we can manage again. And we should. Nothing we use for a few minutes should be able to pollute our communities for hundreds of years.

Even though plastic bag bans lead to greater sickness rates and death, due to bacterial contamination on the reusable bags.

It's not like Baltimore doesn't have bigger problems.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Katie Williams ready at The Other McCain.