Title
Resolution Urging the Michigan Legislature to Support Michigan Senate Bill No. 228 to Repeal the Law Preventing Local Ordinances Regulating Plastic Bags and Other Single-Use Containers
Staff
Reviewed by: Missy Stults, Sustainability & Innovations Director
Valerie Jackson, Assistant City Attorney
Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In 2016, the Michigan Legislature enacted 2016 PA 389, which bars local governments from creating any ordinance that regulates, prohibits, or imposes a fee on "auxiliary containers." Under the statute, "auxiliary containers" include a variety of containers and materials, however the primary focus of the legislation is plastic shopping bags and single-use plastic containers;
Whereas, The State's Michigan Water Stewardship program estimates that roughly 80% of litter on the Great Lakes Shore Line is plastic and that nearly 22 million pounds of plastic debris enters the Great Lakes every year;
Whereas, The United States Geological Survey found that there are 112,000 particles of microplastics per square mile of Great Lakes water, which are largely from single-use plastic bags and containers. While the effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, research suggests that ingestion of microplastics may cause cancer, affect development, and harm immunity in both humans and wildlife;
Whereas, Michigan bears the responsibility of ensuring the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes and contributing waterways, which are a global treasure and the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth;
Whereas, Most plastic bags and single-use containers currently used cannot be recycled and are not biodegradable, so after a single use they remain around for years in landfills, neighborhoods, parks, waterways, and clogging wastewater treatment;
Whereas, Plastic bags and other single-use containers are a pervasive form of pollution and litter in our communities which, in addition ...
Click here for full text