Alexei Volkov
Plastic bags are currently not banned in North Carolina. In 2009, the Outer Banks became the first place in North Carolina to ban single-use plastic bags, but this was repealed in 2017. Since then, several communities and environmental groups have pushed for new ordinances to reduce plastic waste, but state lawmakers have prevented cities from making bans. However, some retail establishments are adopting environmentally friendly policies and programs to reduce plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags banned in North Carolina | No |
| Plastic bag fees in North Carolina | No |
| Plastic bag ban in Outer Banks | Yes, but repealed in 2017 |
| Cities considering plastic bag bans or fees | Asheville, Durham, Buncombe County |
| Environmental initiatives in North Carolina | Ocean Friendly Establishment program (OFE) |
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What You'll Learn
The Outer Banks plastic bag ban
In 2009, the Outer Banks became the first place in North Carolina to ban single-use plastic bags. The ban was championed by Democrat Marc Basnight, the long-time leader of the State Senate, who pushed through a bill barring businesses from offering plastic bags within parts of his coastal district. The law required retailers to offer recyclable paper bags and to give a rebate or other incentives for each reusable bag a customer uses. The ban was in place for eight years, until it was overturned by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2017.
The repeal of the ban was added to a bill by Sen. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, after a separate repeal measure introduced by Rep. Beverly Boswell, R-Dare, failed to advance in the state House. The provision rolled back a 2009 law that blocked most stores on the barrier islands from Corolla to Ocracoke from using the bags. The repeal was supported by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), who argued that the ban burdened business owners to pay more for paper bags.
The repeal of the Outer Banks plastic bag ban has been met with disappointment by some, who worry about the impact on the local ecosystem and economy. Bag bans are proven to reduce trash and litter through decreased use of single-use bags and increased use of reusable shopping bags. Despite the repeal, some Outer Banks retailers continue to offer only paper bags for groceries and encourage customers to use their own bags.
While there is currently no mandated plastic bag ban or fee in place across North Carolina, several communities have adopted environmentally friendly policies, such as the Ocean Friendly Establishment program. Some cities, such as Asheville and Durham, have also considered implementing bans or fees, but have faced legal challenges from the General Assembly, which has prohibited individual cities from making bans.
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Local governments vs the General Assembly
In 2009, the Outer Banks became the first place in North Carolina to ban single-use plastic bags. The ban was pushed through by Democrat Marc Basnight, the long-time leader of the State Senate. However, by 2017, with Basnight's retirement, Republicans claimed a supermajority in the legislature. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) lobbied against the ban, arguing that it burdened business owners with additional costs for paper bags. The NCRMA spent $265,500 on lobbying, with large companies like Walmart and Walgreens as donors. Despite local support for the ban, the General Assembly repealed it in 2017.
Since then, several North Carolina cities have attempted to implement similar bans or fees on single-use plastic bags. In 2022, Asheville and Durham were considering such measures, and a Durham County non-profit proposed a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic bags. However, these efforts have been halted by the General Assembly. A provision in the state budget prohibits municipalities from restricting or regulating the use of 'auxiliary containers', which includes bags.
Local governments argue that the North Carolina Waste Management Act gives them the authority to impose fees as part of waste reduction efforts. However, Andy Ellen, president of the NCRMA, contends that the General Assembly has sole authority to enact fees or bans. The debate pits local governments against the General Assembly, with environmental groups pushing for new local ordinances to reduce plastic waste.
While there is currently no statewide plastic bag ban or fee in North Carolina, some retail establishments are adopting environmentally friendly policies. The Ocean Friendly Establishment program, established in 2015, certifies businesses that reduce plastic waste and adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, the national grocery store chain Wegmans has stopped offering plastic bags in its North Carolina and Virginia stores.
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Environmental impact of plastic bags
Plastic bags have a significant impact on the environment, and their use has sparked debates about their role in pollution and waste. While there is currently no state-wide ban on plastic bags in North Carolina, some communities and local governments are pushing for more environmentally friendly policies. This is because plastic bags have a range of negative environmental effects.
One of the main issues with plastic bags is that they take a long time to decompose. This means that they can persist in the environment for many years, causing problems such as littering and blocking stormwater drains. When plastic bags eventually break down, they can release toxic substances into the soil. If they are burned, they release toxic substances into the air, causing air pollution. The accumulation of these toxins may even contribute to cancer, according to Simons (2005).
Plastic bags are often dumped into landfills, where they emit dangerous gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, as well as toxic leachates. These emissions contribute to greenhouse gases, which the US disproportionately produces due to its high consumption and waste. If plastic bags end up in oceans, they can be mistaken for food by marine life, such as birds and sea turtles, causing harm to these animals and transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. Microplastics are also consumed by people, with an estimated global consumption of the equivalent of a credit card of plastic every week.
To combat the environmental impact of plastic bags, some countries have introduced taxes or levies on plastic bags, which have been successful in curbing their use in the short term. However, the effectiveness of these measures can wane over time as consumers get used to the additional cost. Other strategies include encouraging the use of reusable bags, improving waste management practices, and educating communities about the environmental impact of plastic bags to promote behavioural change.
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Retail establishments adopting environmentally friendly policies
Although there are no mandated plastic bag fees or bans in North Carolina, several communities have adopted environmentally friendly policies and practices. Retail establishments, including restaurants and coffee shops, are at the forefront of these initiatives, implementing measures to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
One notable example is the Ocean Friendly Establishment (OFE) program, established in 2015 in North Carolina's coastal communities. Participants in the OFE program receive certification for their efforts in reducing plastic waste and adopting sustainable practices. This certification serves as a testament to their commitment to environmental responsibility.
In recent years, some national and regional retail chains have also taken proactive steps towards sustainability. For instance, Wegmans, a national grocery store chain, discontinued offering plastic bags in its North Carolina and Virginia stores. This decision was made in recognition of the growing impact of plastic bag legislation and the understanding that more can be done to mitigate plastic waste.
Additionally, local governments and environmental groups have actively pushed for new ordinances and initiatives to reduce plastic waste. Cities like Asheville and Durham have been at the forefront of these efforts, considering bans or fees on single-use plastic bags. Environmental organizations such as MountainTrue have also played a pivotal role, advocating for plastic bag bans and coordinating clean-up efforts to remove trash, especially plastic bags, from local rivers.
While the debate surrounding plastic bag bans and fees continues in North Carolina, with communities advocating for environmentally conscious policies and the General Assembly expressing concerns about the authority to enact such measures, retail establishments are taking the initiative. By adopting environmentally friendly policies and practices, these businesses are leading the way towards a more sustainable future, even in the absence of mandated state-wide regulations.
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Nonprofits and advocacy groups pushing for change
There are no mandated plastic bag fees or bans in North Carolina. However, several advocacy groups and nonprofits are working to change that.
In 2009, the Outer Banks became the first place in North Carolina to ban single-use plastic bags. This ban was the brainchild of Democrat Marc Basnight, the long-time leader of the State Senate. However, in 2017, the General Assembly repealed the Outer Banks ban.
Since then, several advocacy groups and nonprofits have been pushing for new ordinances to reduce plastic waste in the state. For instance, in October 2022, members of Duke University's Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, in coordination with the nonprofit Don't Waste Durham, presented Durham officials with a plan to charge customers 10 cents for each disposable bag. This would include all single-use bags, whether paper or plastic. The proposal could inspire leaders in other North Carolina cities to replicate it.
Another advocacy group in Durham has been pushing for a county-wide proposal to put a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic bags. Activists across the state have been eagerly watching to see if Durham's local government officials will move forward on what would be the only policy in North Carolina aimed at preventing plastic waste from entering the environment.
Environmental groups across North Carolina, such as MountainTrue, have also pushed for new local ordinances to reduce plastic waste. MountainTrue has pushed for plastic bag bans in Buncombe County and co-organizes cleanups to remove trash from the Swannanoa, French Broad, and other rivers in the area.
Despite these efforts, the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) has lobbied against plastic bag bans, arguing that they burden business owners with additional costs for paper bags. The NCRMA has significant resources, employing four lobbyists and spending $265,500 on lobbying in 2017. They also count large companies like Walmart, Walgreens, and Publix as recent donors.
While there is no statewide plastic bag ban in North Carolina, some individual cities and communities have adopted environmentally friendly policies. For example, the Ocean Friendly Establishment program (OFE) was established in 2015 in North Carolina Coastal communities to certify businesses that reduce plastic waste and adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, the national grocery store chain Wegmans recently stopped offering plastic bags in its North Carolina and Virginia stores.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no mandated plastic bag fees or bans in North Carolina.
In 2009, the Outer Banks became the first place in North Carolina to ban single-use plastic bags. However, in 2017, the General Assembly repealed the ban.
Several communities in North Carolina are considering bans or fees on single-use plastic bags, including Asheville and Durham. However, a provision in the state budget prohibits municipalities from restricting or regulating the use of 'auxiliary containers', which includes bags.
Environmental groups argue that a ban on single-use plastic bags is necessary to curb North Carolina's growing microplastics problem. Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose, and microplastics can get into waterways and emit toxins.
The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) has lobbied against plastic bag bans, arguing that they burden business owners with additional costs for paper bags. There are also concerns that different rules in each county would make things difficult for businesses.
