The Maryland General Assembly is currently considering a bill that would ban plastic bags in Maryland ("Advocates try in Annapolis for plastic bag ban," March 10).
Reporter Tim Wheeler recently highlighted some of the many environmental concerns raised by the plastic bag, including the destruction of marine ecosystems and blight in urban communities.
However, the article also mentioned the concern of some lawmakers that the bill would have a negative economic impact on the state's low-income residents.
The truth is that right now all consumers pay for plastic bags when they make purchases from grocery stores, retail or restaurants. It doesn't matter whether or not the consumer uses the plastic bag, the cost of the bag is built into the cost of their purchase. If plastic bags were banned in Maryland, consumers would save money.
Businesses would be able to use the money they now spend on plastic bags to hire new employees, raise wages or invest in new equipment.
So banning the plastic bag does not cost Marylanders anything; in fact, it is an economic stimulus.
This has been the experience of the more than 180 jurisdictions around the country that have made the decision to ban plastic bags in their communities.
Consumers also realize that the billions of plastic bags Marylanders use every year will further destroy the Chesapeake Bay, leading to significant, irreparable costs to industries ranging from tourism and fishing to food service. Banning the bag saves Maryland in more ways than one.
Irene Smith, Baltimore