The Virginia NAACP supports HB1662 (Jones), HB2030 (Anthony) and Hb2267(Anthony)

Plastic grocery bags typically are used for an average of 12 minutes, yet plastic persists in the environment for 100s if not 1,000s of years. While in the environment, it often ends up in waterways and in the ocean, where it photo degrades into tiny bits called microplastics. These are taken up by animals and enter the food chain. We all now have quantities of plastic chemicals in our organs and blood stream with unclear, but not good, health implications. In fact, plastic may be the new "lead" of environmental health dangers. So, when considering the cost of taking a step to control the huge impact of plastic on health and the environment (its manufacture is a major source of greenhouse gases), we have to remember these costs that will be paid in a degraded ecosystem, increased health issues, and worsening natural disasters from unfettered climate change. To ask that stores provide alternatives seems a small price to pay. Getting consumers ready with education, signage, and publicity will help the transition. If stores need to recoup any increased cost, they can charge a dime for a paper bag. People will learn to bring bags this way, as has been demonstrated in other states with the ban. This seems a small price to pay for the rewards it will bring to the beauty of our Commonwealth, the improvement of fisheries, and the health of our citizens. Respectfully yours, Caroline Sheridan

I sure wish we could get rid of plastic bags! I help with stream cleanups in the Shenandoah Valley and plastic bags, along with cigarette butts and styrofoam, are the worst offenders. I have lived in places (Germany, Massachusetts, California) where stores charge for plastic bags--it's really not that much--in Germany the bags were pretty sturdy and we re-used them over and over 9the Berliner Brieftasche, they were called). Or you ust get used to bringing your own most of the time, and paying when you forget. How hard is that. I'm attaching a little calculator for our area that Environment Virginia creates. I think it's interesting.

While the intent of this legislation to reduce environmental waste is commendable, the outright prohibition of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores has several significant drawbacks: Economic Burden on Consumers: Many consumers rely on plastic bags for convenience and reuse them for other household purposes. Alternatives like paper or cloth bags may impose additional costs on shoppers, disproportionately affecting low-income families. Paper bags are often less durable and require frequent replacements, further adding to the cost burden. Environmental Trade-Offs: While plastic bags have environmental drawbacks, alternatives also have their own impact. For example: Paper Bags: Require significantly more water and energy to produce, resulting in a higher carbon footprint during production and transportation. Reusable Cloth Bags: Often made from cotton or synthetic materials, their production demands extensive resources, and they must be reused hundreds of times to offset their environmental footprint. Impact on Small Businesses: Compliance with this legislation could increase operational costs for smaller grocery stores, forcing them to purchase and provide costlier alternatives. This burden could lead to higher prices for consumers or reduced competitiveness for local businesses. Ineffective Waste Management: Eliminating plastic bags from grocery stores does not address the broader issue of plastic waste. Many plastic bags are repurposed for trash liners or pet waste disposal. Without them, consumers may purchase other plastic products, such as trash bags, which are often thicker and contribute more to landfill waste. Consumer Behavior and Convenience: Banning plastic bags could alienate customers who value convenience. Policies encouraging voluntary behavioral changes, such as offering incentives for bringing reusable bags, might achieve similar goals without imposing a ban. Existing Recycling Efforts: Many grocery stores already participate in recycling programs for plastic bags. Enhancing and expanding these initiatives could provide a practical, less disruptive alternative to an outright ban. Conclusion: A more balanced approach is needed to address the environmental concerns associated with plastic bags. This could include improved recycling infrastructure, consumer education, and incentivized use of reusable bags, rather than a sweeping prohibition that may result in unintended economic and environmental consequences.

I am totally against this bill which aims to prohibit the sale and distribution of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores starting January 1, 2027. Consumer Convenience: This ban removes a convenient option for consumers, particularly for those who might forget reusable bags or for spontaneous shopping trips, impacting the ease of grocery shopping. Economic Impact on Stores: Grocery stores will face increased costs due to the need to transition to alternative bagging solutions, which might be passed onto consumers, potentially raising the cost of groceries at a time when affordability is crucial. Job Losses: The transition away from plastic bags could lead to job losses in the plastic manufacturing sector, affecting local economies and workers dependent on this industry. Effectiveness Questionable: While the intention is environmental, the effectiveness of such bans in reducing overall plastic waste is debated. Without comprehensive recycling programs or alternatives, this might just shift the problem rather than solve it. Penalty Structure: The civil penalty system, starting with warnings and then fines, could be seen as punitive towards businesses trying to adapt, especially small grocery stores with limited resources to comply quickly. Reusable Bag Program Requirement: Mandating grocery stores to implement programs to encourage reusable bags adds an administrative burden, potentially diverting resources from other business operations or customer service improvements. Exempt Bag Loophole: The definition of exempt bags could lead to confusion or exploitation, where certain plastic bags might still be used under the guise of exemptions, undermining the bill's environmental goals. Lack of Public Readiness: Many consumers might not be ready or willing to switch to reusable bags by the set deadline, leading to resistance or non-compliance, which could affect the bill's success. Alternative Environmental Concerns: The production and disposal of alternatives like paper or cloth bags have their environmental impacts, which this bill does not address, potentially shifting the environmental burden rather than reducing it. I strongly oppose this legislation for its potential to inconvenience consumers, economically strain grocery stores, lead to job losses, and for its questionable effectiveness in truly reducing environmental impact without a holistic approach to waste management.

I strongly support banning grocery store plastic carryout bags. In discussion with both state legislators and Virginia Beach City Council members regarding the plastic bag fee legislation, I am frequently asked, "Why didn't the General Assembly just pass a bag bag ban in the first place?". In the meantime, plastic bags are despoiling our landscape and our waterways, harming our eco-systems (birds, fish, turtles, marine mammals) and clogging our storm water systems. Additionally, plastic bags stay in the environment indefinitely and eventually break down into micro and nano-plastics, making their way into our food chain and into every organ and system in our bodies. Please: Just Ban the Bags! Very Respectfully, James F. Deppe Virginia Beach

Hello, Please require retail establishments to post clear signage designating invasive plants and educating the public on what that means. Invasive plants are a tremendous issue threatening our ecosystems. They out-compete native plants that we need in order to enjoy our land, support animals for hunting and fishing, control floods and erosion, protect infrastructure, protect our trees, and protect wildlife. I work in watershed restoration cleaning up our waterways to provide safer drinking water, protect infrastructure, protect our ability to safely hunt and fish, and protect our native songbirds, trees, flowers, and wildlife. Most of our budget is spent on invasive species removal; it costs a lot, requires the use of herbicides, requires the use of heavy equipment, and requires many years of constant maintenance in order to prevent them from coming back. They damage our ecosystems and I have seen many beautiful old trees die because of invasive English ivy, tree-of-heaven, privet, and invasive honeysuckle. Our songbirds die eating berries from invasive plants. Please pass this legislation. Additionally, please pass the legislation supporting wildlife corridors; in addition to being needed to protect wildlife, this bill would protect so many people. Deer-auto collisions cost states millions each year and injure and kill many drivers. We are also at risk of losing many of our native wildlife species as a result; animals like frogs and salamanders need to cross roadways in order to reach wetlands to breed, and cannot escape cars.

I support these