When consumers are out shopping in Maine, it is not uncommon for them to hear cashiers inquire as to whether or not they would want a bag, followed by the mention of a five-cent delivery fee.
Beginning in the year 2021, this law, which mandates that a price of five cents be paid for bags, has been in place in the state. A single lawmaker, on the other hand, is currently campaigning to get rid of this tax.
It has been slightly more than three years since the state of Maine implemented its ban on single-use plastic bags.
“I have not found anybody in my area that is in favor of the five cent bag fee,” Rep. Michael Lemelin of House District 53 stated.
In its stead, retailers were permitted to provide consumers with paper bags or plastic bags that could be reused, but they were required to charge a minimum of five cents for each bag.
It was decided to implement this policy in order to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags as a more environmentally friendly alternative.
Representative Michael Lemelin of the state legislature has proposed a bill that would do away with the five-cent tax at its current level.
“If the people oppose it and we’re here to represent people, then why I’m sure the environmentalist still think it’s a good idea, but we’re not here for the environmentalist. We’re here for the people,” Lemelin added.
In spite of the fact that the cost is intended to encourage customers to carry their own reusable shopping bags, Representative Lemelin has expressed concern regarding the hygienic problems that are associated with these bags.
“The journal concluded that reasonable bags are very effective in transmitting infectious disease from private homes to supermarkets, basically getting people sick,” Lemelin stated.
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Several studies have indicated that food can leave bacteria in reusable bags if they are not cleaned on a regular basis, which might potentially pose a threat to the health of customers. He brings this to the attention of the audience.
In accordance with the law that is now in effect, individual stores have the ability to select how the bag fees that are collected are distributed.
With the revenue, many merchants are able to reduce the amount of money they spend on acquiring the bags themselves. On the other hand, there are some customers who have voiced their demand for greater openness, expressing their want to know precisely how the money they pay for bags is being utilized.
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Despite the fact that the five-cent charge is the minimum fee, retailers have the ability to set greater costs if they so desire. As a result, the price of bags might vary from one retailer to another.
In the event that Representative Lemelin’s plan to do away with the fee is approved, it is possible that it will go into effect later this year. This would have the potential to alter the manner in which residents of Maine buy and pay for bags at retail businesses.
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