Connecticut Senate Bill SB00058

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/11
• Refer: 1/10/11
• Refer: 1/26/11

Caption

An Act Establishing A Fee For The Use Of Plastic And Paper Bags At Grocery And Retail Establishments.

Impact

The bill includes provisions for creating a recycling initiatives account, which will collect the proceeds from the fees imposed on retailers. These funds are intended for various grant programs aimed at supporting municipalities in enhancing their recycling programs. The Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with establishing these grant programs, which will offer financial assistance to municipalities to either implement new recycling initiatives or improve existing ones, ultimately contributing to better waste management and conservation efforts statewide.

Summary

SB00058 is an Act establishing a fee for the use of plastic and paper bags at grocery and retail establishments, aiming to encourage more sustainable practices and reduce environmental waste. Starting January 1, 2012, any retailer providing a disposable bag must charge customers a five-cent fee per bag, which will be collected by the retailer and transferred to the Commissioner of Revenue Services. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance environmental preservation by incentivizing customers to reduce their reliance on single-use bags.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around SB00058 is supportive among environmental advocacy groups who see it as a necessary step toward mitigating plastic waste and promoting recycling. However, there are concerns from some retailers about the potential financial burden imposed by the fee structure and the administrative challenges associated with compliance. The bill seems to have sparked discussion about the balancing act between facilitating local economic activity and enforcing environmental responsibility.

Contention

Notably, SB00058 prohibits municipalities from adopting local ordinances that restrict the retail use of plastic or paper bags, which may be viewed as an infringement on local governance and the ability to tailor regulatory measures to specific community needs. Critics argue that the bill's centralization of authority limits local decision-making power in addressing environmental issues that affect their unique contexts. Despite these concerns, the bill charts a path toward a standardized state-level approach to managing waste and promoting environmental sustainability.