Tele-Talk question: What do you think of proposed bans on plastic bags and drinking straws?

A group of Fryeburg Academy students recently spearheaded an initiative to reduce plastic waste, which would include finding alternatives to plastic disposables in the school cafeteria and getting rid of single-use plastic water bottles. Meanwhile, the N.H. House recently passed HB 558, restricting the distribution of plastic straws, and HB 560 (“Relative to single-use carryout bags”). According to a letter from former state Rep. Karen Umberger of Conway (appearing in Saturday's edition), the drinking straw ban would apply to any food service business, and single-use carryout bags (used at groceries or most retail stores) would be defined as either plastic or paper bags. Supporters of the measures say straws litter beaches, harm wildlife and clutter rivers, lakes and the ocean. Places such as California, Hawaii, New York City and Seattle have already banned them. Plastic-bag bans are in place in many cities, including Boston, Washington, D.C., and Portland, Maine, and now that China no longer accepts our trash, restricting their use would relieve pressure on local landfills. However, as Umberger points out, instituting such a ban would mean changing our ways, including lugging around reusable bags and/or paying for a provided bag when going shopping.

This week’s Tele-Talk question: What do you think of proposed bans on plastic bags and drinking straws?