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Howard County Council hears hours of testimony on proposed plastic-reduction ordinance
Summary
Council public hearing on CB13, the Plastic Reduction Act, drew students, environmental groups and restaurant owners; bill would make straws, stirrers, condiment packets and single-use foodware available only on request in many settings. Testimony highlighted environmental and operational concerns; sponsors said the measure is targeted and not a full ban.
Howard County Council (remote) held a lengthy public hearing on Council Bill 13, the Plastic Reduction Act, which would limit routine distribution of single‑use plastic straws, stirrers, condiment packets and certain plastic foodware by restaurants and retail food service operations.
Councilmember Christiana Rigby, a sponsor, told the council the measure “is not a wholesale ban” but aims to “reduce disposable plastic consumption and waste in our environment and landfills” by requiring items be provided only when requested while permitting restaurants to keep a small stock for customers who need them. She framed the bill as a small, localized step to reduce litter in county waterways and neighborhood storm drains.
More than a dozen residents and organization representatives testified. Several student speakers urged passage on environmental and public‑health grounds.…
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