Should Patchogue Village Outlaw Plastic Bags?

I am dismayed at the fact that a group of people have suggested outlawing single use plastic bags in our village. I am not in favor of unilaterally outlawing plastic bags at the expense of our merchants. There is no way of predicting how the general public will respond to the lack of single use plastic bags! My tax money should not be used to make a “green statement;” it should be used to service our village.

  I would be in favor of creating an expanded system to deal with recycling plastics, and metals, as opposed to outlawing plastic bags! “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!” Our local merchants have been working very hard to create and maintain the Patchogue that we now enjoy! It is not easy to stay in business! This ban on plastic bags would have the effect of picking the pockets of our merchants, and possibly put a few of them out of business.

Instead of unilaterally outlawing Plastic bags and putting our merchants at a disadvantage, may I suggest an expanded recycling program that will bring money into the village.

Before you say or do anything, please read the article that is referenced by the link below! As per the article, re-usable shopping bags present a health hazard. Cross contamination from dirty shopping bags is dangerous to children! Cross contamination from someone else’s dirty shopping bag could contaminate your food!

Please read the article linked below! https://recipeland.com/news/reusable-grocery-bags-bad-for-e-154

I am not in favor of making my grandchildren sick! All it takes is one drop of liquid from a meat product on a candy bar that might ultimately be handled by a child! Meat products must always be separated from all other food products! We need recycling of plastic instead of outlawing plastic! The health aspect of this issue may have been overlooked!