Palm Beach, Fla. Outlawing Plastic Bags, Polystyrene Containers

The town of Palm Beach is banning plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

Town lawmakers approved the measure, which doesn’t take effect until Dec. 12, The Palm Beach Post is reporting. It is aimed at restaurants, drug stores, gas stations and vending trucks.

Polystyrene containers and single-use carry out plastic bags are harmful to the environment because they do not fully degrade. And the new town ordinance noted they overburden landfills and create hazards for animals that ingest them. They also hamper waste reduction and recycling goals.

“The research has shown us these items are bad for the environment, particularly marine life, and it just makes sense to regulate it,” town manager Kirk Blouin said. “We are all creatures of habit. Once we get used to a good habit, it becomes second nature to us.”

The new law will not take effect right away in order to allow eateries and retail businesses to use up their existing inventories, according to the newspaper.

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