Thankfully, no other more pressing problems in Muskegon county........Muskegon County leaders discuss creating Michigan's first plastic bags ordinance

Muskegon County leaders discuss creating Michigan's first plastic bags ordinance | MLive.com
MUSKEGON, MI – County Commissioners discussed a county-wide plastic bag ordinance at a meeting Thursday.

Commissioners held a work session May 21 to discuss the idea of an ordinance that would limit or reduce the usage of plastic bags, especially those given out free by retail shops.

No counties or municipalities in Michigan currently have such an ordinance.

The Board of Commissioners Chairman Terry Sabo had earlier suggested ban on shops giving out free plastic bags. 

...Muskegon County Sustainability Coordinator Sara Damm gave a presentation of her research into plastic bag bans around the county, finding that ban paired with requiring a charge for checkout-lane paper bags seemed most effective in reducing usage.

..."It's part of the county's vision (statement), 'to protect natural resources,'" she added.

....Commissioner Jeff Lohman said possibly several different approaches, such as an education campaign, recycling program and a ban could work together. 

...Commissioners also discussed the possibility of only extending a ban on bags given out by larger retail stores, since the bigger stores might be better equipped to deal with the ordinance.

Sabo wasn't sure he liked that idea, though.

"The plastic bags coming out of those (smaller) stores are just as bad," he said.