Title
Environmental Commission Resolution Supporting SB228
Memorandum
The intended goal of SB228 is to return the regulatory powers over single-use plastic containers, including shopping bags, to local governmental control. 2016 PA 389 was enacted to block Washtenaw County from regulating single use plastic bags and certain other take-out containers. Single use plastics are not just an eyesore, but have emerged as a major contributor to microplastic and nanoplastic pollution impacting public and ecological health. Plastic bags also represent a major contamination problem for recycling operations, since they gum-up the machinery and require line shutdowns to extricate them and re-start operations. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has already passed a similar resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, In 2016, the Michigan Legislature enacted 2016 PA 389, which bars local governments from creating any ordinance that taxes or bans "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; and
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; and
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; and
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 freshw...
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