Updated at 4:25 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2007
Maui councilman proposes plastic-bag ban
Advertiser Staff
WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County Council member Michael Molina is proposing a ban on nonbiodegradable plastic shopping bags, saying they are a major contributor to litter.His draft bill would require businesses with annual gross revenue exceeding $250,000 to use compostable bags, recyclable paper bags or reusable bags.
After five years, all business would have to stop using nonbiodegradeable plastic bags.
Molina, who holds the Makawao seat on the council, said the county recycling office has estimated that each resident uses 300 plastic bags annually, totaling about 50 million bags a year.
