Speak Up: Bill would further crack down on single-use plastic bags in Delaware

Legislation filed Thursday would close a loophole in Delaware’s ban on plastic bags. In 2019, the General Assembly voted to prohibit single-use carryout plastic bags at large stores and chains. The law took effect this year, but some stores have gotten around the ban by offering non-reusable thicker plastic bags. House Bill 212 would increase the minimum thickness for a plastic bag to qualify as reusable from 2.25 millimeters to 10 millimeters, beginning Jan. 1. It would initially apply only to stores with more than 7,000 square feet of retail sales space or chains with three or more locations that have at least 3,000 square feet of retail space. Starting July 1 of next year, however, it would cover all stores.

• Some people aren’t really reusing the bags though. They’re just throwing them away. At this point, we just need a ban on plastic bags in general. — Jaden Blondin

• My thoughts, as well. I rarely see other people going into the stores with their own bags. I do feel a little weird sometimes bringing my own bags, like employees will think I’m trying to steal. — Sam Frankie Leister

• Yet, single-use trash bags in every brand are still available. Recycling centers that used to be set up at various locations disappeared, and plastic water bottles have not gone away. Government is a joke with their mandates. Do better, people! — Joycie Joseph Young

• Talk about the politicians feeling grumpy that Walmart found the workaround the first time with nicer, bigger bags. — Gabe Percich

• The legislators got salty that stores found a way to make customers happy and meet the requirements. Pretty petty. — Holy Toledo

• Stop all plastic. The thicker the plastic, the more damage it will do. — Linda White Lane

• But not one bag is for single use. You can use it many times, so class dismissed. — Ryan Starr