Southampton, East Hampton Ban Plastic Bags

Both East Hampton and Southampton became the first towns on Long Island to officially ban plastic bans last week.

In Southampton, the ban passed with a 3-2 vote during Thursday’s town board meeting and will begin on Earth Day, April 22, 2015, according to Newsday.

In East Hampton, the ban passed with a 4-1 vote during Thursday’s town board meeting and will begin on September 22, 2015, according to 27east.

All plastic bags thinner than 2.25 mils will be ban, mostly affecting the thin plastic bags at supermarkets, drugstores and more, according to Newsday.

Breaking the ban will result in a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 15 days, according to East End Beacon.

Advocates say the bags are the biggest source of litter, add to the islands of garbage in the oceans and are fatal to marine animals and birds, according to Newsday.

However, Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera believes the ban is an “overreach of government” and that educational campaigns on the benefits of using reusable bags will be more effective, according to East End Beacon.

Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst has been campaigning for a regional ban of plastic bags in all East End towns over the past few months, according to 27east.

In Riverhead, town board members have said they will bring mirroring legislation to the floor, but both Southold Town and Shelter Island Town said for now, they will not be introducing the legislation, according to 27east.

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