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Coastal Conservation League urges Beaufort County to close thick‑bag loophole, consider foam and on‑request cutlery
Summary
Grant McClure of the Coastal Conservation League urged Beaufort County to update its plastic‑bag ordinance to close a loophole for thicker reusable bags, pursue bans on foam clamshells and require carryout cutlery be provided only on request, citing local litter data and regional examples.
Grant McClure, a Coastal Conservation League representative, told members of a Beaufort County forum that the county should update its 2018 plastic bag ordinance to close a loophole that allowed thicker reusable bags to replace single‑use thin bags.
"We're working on proposing new language with the county," McClure said. "Right now we're thinking we want to close that loophole for the thick plastic bags, do away with foam clamshell containers and make carryout cutlery on request." He said language would rely on measurable definitions such as bag thickness (measured in mils) and handle construction to prevent retailers from circumventing the rule.
McClure reviewed the ordinance's history and regional context: Beaufort County discussed a bag ban starting in 2017 and adopted a ban in 2018, but retailers later introduced thicker reusable bags that were not covered by the original text. He pointed to recent municipal updates in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, James Island and Folly Beach that close similar loopholes and to grant‑supported transition periods used elsewhere to help businesses adapt.
To illustrate local litter impacts, McClure cited volunteer litter‑sweep results near the meeting venue on Boundary Street: volunteers collected dozens of single‑use items, including multiple thick and thin plastic bags, plastic straws and hundreds of other plastic items and Styrofoam pieces. "These items are showing up right at our doorstep," he said, arguing the counts underline the ordinance's local relevance.
Participants pressed McClure on technical and enforcement details. One member asked about a definition tied to bag thickness; McClure said the county committee discussed a 4‑mil threshold and special language addressing handles to exclude the thicker bags retailers introduced. Others raised enforcement and cost questions; McClure said education, business outreach, hardship exemptions and reporting tools are being considered, and that partners have been speaking with local hospitality and business associations.
McClure suggested a phased approach and said grants (for example, a DHEC grant used in Charleston) can support small businesses during transitions. He also invited public participation in local litter sweeps and outreach to help build the data supporting ordinance changes.
The forum confirmed stakeholders would continue working with county staff and municipal partners on draft language before any formal county council action.
