The Beaufort County Council, in a 7-4 vote, this week passed an ordinance to ban all plastic carryout bags and disposable foam food containers for business establishments. Businesses may still provide plastic straws and cutlery, but only upon customer request. Officials say these amendments are in the “best interest of the citizens and residents of the county, human health, environment, critical infrastructure, and marine life.”
Under the new ordinance, all business establishments must make reusable carryout bags or recyclable paper bags available to its customers. Business establishments within Beaufort can sell, rent, or provide any Styrofoam products to its customers unless they qualify for exemptions.
Exemptions include:
- Trash, pet waste, and yard waste bags; laundry, dry cleaning, newspaper, and door-hanger bags
- Bags from pharmacies or medical providers for prescriptions or medical items
- In-store bags for bulk items, raw meat, fish, frozen foods, flowers, or unwrapped baked goods
- Bags customers bring from home
- Food packaging required by state or federal safety regulations
- Nonprofit and school groups distributing food, clothing, or household goods
- Emergency services during declared emergencies
- Products made or packaged outside Beaufort County
- Construction foam products used under county building codes
A ban on single-use plastic bags was adopted in 2018. According to the county, since its adoption, the use of thicker plastic bags marketed as “reusable” have become more prevalent; however, critics say these thicker plastic bags contribute to the degradation of the environment in a similar way as single-use plastic bags…