Source: News 12 Connecticut
Bipartisan lawmakers stand behind state plastic bag ban
Posted: February 11, 2019
Originally Published: February 9, 2019
WESTPORT - Several elected officials came together across party lines Saturday at Compo Beach to discuss the importance of a statewide single-use plastic bag ban and to draw attention to the issue.
Later this month, the Westport will be celebrating 10 years without single-use plastic bags.
"It's time now for our state government to follow Westport's lead,” says state Sen. Will Haskell. “Westport has shown over the last 10 years that we can change consumer behavior."
Dozens of supporters were also at Compo Beach – many left with brand new reusable bags that officials are encouraging everyone to use.
"It's not enough to simply ban plastic bags, paper bags also have adverse environmental impacts and they take up unnecessary space in our waste stream," says Louis Burch, of the Citizen's Campaign.
In early January, Big Y, which has 30 stores across the state, announced they would phase out plastic bags by 2020.
Management says their ban will ensure that 100 million bags, that are used annually, will not impact the environment.
Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston and most recently New Canaan each have bans in place. Lawmakers say in order to preserve the Long Island Sound and the greater environment, a statewide ban is vital.
Watch the video.