Borough Targets Single-use Plastic; Mandate Would Begin June 1, 2019

STONE HARBOR – Stone Harbor Borough Council moved one step closer to adopting an ordinance banning the use of single-use plastic and related materials. The ordinance was introduced July 3 and is scheduled for a hearing and possible adoption Aug. 7.
At the same meeting that council introduced its ordinance on bulkhead heights, the governing body moved from fighting rising seas to promoting environmentally-friendly packaging to preserve its waterways and protect marine and wildlife.
The ordinance was formulated over several weeks in which council debated the specifics without ever breaking ranks on the overall goals.
The unanimity of council on the issue was never in doubt.
The ordinance “desires to eliminate the use of polystyrene/plastic foam and single-use plastic products and other non-locally recyclable and non-properly compostable food packaging.” 
In doing so, the borough takes on the formidable challenge of confronting some of the most prevalent materials in society, materials that have become the bedrock of packaging.
Discussions with the local business community led to one significant amendment to the ordinance prior to its introduction. The draft stated that the ban would to go into effect Jan. 1, 2019. That date was changed to June 1.
Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour explained that the ordinance was being introduced at the height of the business season, a period where business owners “do not have the time to deal with this.” 
From the perspective of packaging use, the new date still captures the period when the resort’s population swells, and local businesses’ use of packaging materials increases in its annual cycle.
The ordinance, which states the borough’s goal for a “cleaner environment for generations to come,” provides definitions for the products that are banned, makes clear what uses are exempt from the ban, and establishes a process whereby business owners can request temporary exceptions in light of demonstrable hardship caused by existing investment in plastic products.
The ordinance also lays out an escalating scale of financial penalties for violation of the regulations ranging from $200 to $500 per violation within specified time periods.
In response to questions, Davies-Dunhour admitted that the borough is on a learning curve concerning “what works and what does not.”
She added that the borough might need to make changes as it gains experience with the ordinance.
Future impact on the ordinance may also come from changes locally that are beyond the control of the borough’s governing body. The best example of such change would be an enhancement in the recycling capabilities in the area.
Changes could allow the use of products that today do not meet the ordinance’s mandate for using “locally-recyclable” material.
A borough of two square miles, ranked 415th of 566 municipalities in the state in size, with a permanent population of fewer than 1,000 residents, Stone Harbor is not in a position to have a significant impact on so pervasive a problem.
Council member Ray Parzych said as much in the previous meetings leading up to the ordinance introduction, but also added: “It is time for us to do our part.”
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.