As of May 1, 2019, plastic single use carry-out bags will no longer be permitted at stores and restaurants in Camden. Stores selling staple foods in Camden can offer paper, biodegradable, or compostable carryout bags for a fee of 10 cents. These changes are to encourage customers to take their own reusable carryout bags or containers. 

Camden retailers are saying goodbye to single-use plastic bags, joining 20-plus other Maine communities, and hundreds of other U.S. communities, and 62 foreign countries. The ordinance was passed by Camden citizens in November 2018, the result of a citizen’s lead initiative.

The other Camden ordinance going into effect as of May 1, 2019 bans the use of polystyrene (a type of plastic often referred to as ‘styrofoam’) containers for any food prepared in Camden.

Take-out establishments, restaurants, coffeeshops, and food stores will be using non-polystyrene containers, thereby eliminating the distribution of the non-recyclable and highly polluting polystyrene in Camden, a move that will help preserve the natural beauty of the town and reduce our waste impact.

Camden retailers are also banned from selling food containers made of polystyrene (coolers, cups, plates, etc.). In addition, any caterers or other food businesses contracted to do business in town are prevented from using this plastic material as part of any special events in town. 

The Camden Conservation Committee distributed materials related to these ordinances in February 2019 to and held public meetings with retailers and food establishments to help prepare them for the changes. Retailers are in conversation with the regional Chamber of Commerce to place free, reusable bags around town to ease the transition. Lodging providers have also been urged to alert their guests via room signs and on their websites, and perhaps providing customized bags touting Camden’s desire to be Plastic Free By the Sea. 

What can you do to help? Take your own bags (or backpacks or baskets) and takeout containers when you shop Camden or travel. Also consider carrying a takeout mug and utensils no matter where you go,to work or across the globe. You can reuse them hundreds of time, thereby doing your part to eliminate single-use plastics in any form. (Plastic, once manufactured, has no place to go— it will exist in some form on planet Earth forever.)

Both new ordinances help Camden lead the cultural transformation away from single-use plastics—that inevitably wind up in our landfills, pollute our environment or end up as trash along the roadside. 

Last week the Maine Legislature passed a bill (LD 289) prohibiting the use of polystyrene containers statewide, making Maine one-step closer to being the first state to do so. In the coming months the Legislature also is considering a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. 

Molly Mulhern lives in Camden