Solution: Policy Solutions
Policy makes a difference.
Types of legislative and policy solutions:
Banning problematic materials
Systematic Incentives
Enforcement and Regulation
Some wins so far:
Expanded Polystyrene Foam
2014: DC passes foam ban legislation (went into effect Jan. 1, 2016)
2015: Montgomery County Council passes EPS foam ban for food service
2016: Prince George’s County passes EPS foam ban for food service
2018: City of Annapolis bans EPS Foam for food service
2019: Baltimore City implements EPS foam ban for food service
2019: FIRST STATE-WIDE FOAM BAN FOR FOOD SERVICE CONTAINERS IN THE U.S.!
Plastic Bags
2009: Washington DC passes a bag bill to charge .05 for any paper/plastic bag
2011: Montgomery County Council passes a bag bill to charge .05 for any paper/plastic bag
2016: Plastic bags banned in Takoma Park
2019: Plastic bags banned in Westminster
2020: Plastic bags banned in Baltimore City
Microbeads
2015: Microbeads in personal care products banned in Maryland.
More
2014: New requirement for public events of 200+ to provide recycling next to trash in Maryland
2014: New requirement to impose driver’s license points to be imposed on persons convicted of illegal dumping in Maryland enacted.
2020: Montgomery County banned balloon releases. Queen Anne’s County and Ocean City have also banned these releases.
2021: Howard County passed the Plastic Reduction Law limiting use of plastic straws, stirrers, condiment packages and food wares