York delays vote on single-use plastics ban: ‘Not ready for primetime’

YORK, Maine — A ban on single-use plastic food ware could be coming to York – but not in November as a group of high school students had hoped.

The Selectboard opted this week against putting a proposed ban on single-use plastics on the November referendum ballot as pitched by the York High School Eco Club. They held a public hearing where business owners said they were concerned a plastic ban would be a difficult adjustment. Many said they supported the goal of reducing waste but thought the proposal to ban all single-use plastics needed to be further examined.

Caitlynn Ramsey of the Sun and Surf restaurant and the Anchorage Inn said she would gladly serve on a committee to consider a future ban on single-use plastics. However, she read a statement from her family-run businesses that said the ban goes “too far and too fast.”

Ramsey said she was concerned alternatives to plastic ware in the food and beverage industry were not available yet. She also said composting bins are easy to contaminate so companies like Mr. Fox could decline to pick them up at all. She also doubted many tourists were prepared to bring their own cup to beach restaurants that serve takeout like the Sun and Surf.

“We believe our visitors are progressive,” Ramsey told the Selectboard in a public hearing Monday night. “However, they’re also very demanding, so they definitely want something that will suit their needs.”

Previous story: York High School students propose town-wide plastics ban

The proposed ordinance called for the ban of the distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic cutlery, stirring sticks, straws, cups and lids in retail stores, restaurants and municipal departments. It would also require food and beverage providers to create and promote a program incentivizing customers to bring their own cups. It would encourage businesses that rely on plasticware to switch to compostable alternatives.

Violations of the ordinance as proposed by the students would have resulted first in a written warning. The following offense would result in a $250 fine, and subsequent offenses would be $500.

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York business owners air concerns

Other business owners like Dan Poulin of the Fat Tomato recommended a study committee. Poulin commended the students but warned the ordinance needs “much more thought and idea refinement before its ready for primetime.”

Other concerns included whether requiring cups from home is always sanitary. David Brinkman, who said he has experience as a lawyer, was concerned the ordinance could violate the state regulations on cleanliness.

“The proposal here for people to take their perhaps poorly washed cups, containers and utensils to a restaurant puts the restaurant in danger of breaking the food safety law,” Brinkman said.

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Selectboard to form study committee on plastics ban

Selectboard Chair Todd Frederick and members Robert Palmer and Mike Estes said they would not support moving the proposal to the November ballot, and no vote was taken. However, board members said they would like to have the committee formed to study the proposal and believe it could be put on the May referendum ballot in 2024.

“I agree with the intent of the ordinance,” Palmer said. “I think this ordinance would do well to have a little more public input.”

The ordinance received many supportive comments. Stones Throw owner Joe Lipton wrote a letter saying he supported the ordinance, and that York should “move decidedly towards a better future.”

The Selectboard also received a letter from Hannaford supermarket, which has a store on Route 1. Hannaford’s District 6 Director of Operations Bob Hatem and York store Manager David Couture wrote in the letter the ordinance was in line with their own corporation’s efforts to protect the environment.

“Hannaford endorses and urges support of the proposed initiative,” wrote Hayden and Couture. The letter stated Hannaford reached out to the student club proposing the ordinance when they learned about it.

“Their energy, enthusiasm and poise are impressive,” the letter stated. “The club is demonstrating how we can all be good stewards of our planet.”

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York High School students to continue fight for plastics ban

York High School students Maxine Adelson, Aidan Ring, Lucy Patterson and Chloe Whitbread brought forth the ordinance as part of their work on the York High School Eco Club’s plastic reduction task force. The group said they have hopes of passing an ordinance that could influence state law. Students from York High School sparked statewide legislation when they got bans on plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers approved in town in 2015 and 2019.

The students have collected some feedback and made changes to their proposal since first introducing it to the Selectboard on June 12. Those changes have included an exemption for healthcare facilities as recommended by Frederick.

Adelson said they plan to continue working on a future ordinance banning plastics and reusables. The four appeared in green T-shirts that said “single-use cups, we think your time is up” as they spoke on the podium.

Adelson was optimistic about the response from the Selectboard, which ended the meeting discussing the process of forming a study committee. Frederick said interviews for participants could take place at the subsequent meeting.

“We are disappointed with the outcome tonight, but the Selectboard is supportive of our goal to reduce single-use plastics,” Adelson said. “Our group will continue to work to create an ordinance that includes the feedback received.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Single-use plastics ban faces pushback from York, Maine businesses