What’s Next After OBX Bag Ban Repeal? BY MICHELLE WAGNER The Outer Banks Sentinel

October 16, 2017 | Local News | By: Michelle Wagner

What’s Next After OBX Bag Ban Repeal?

BY MICHELLE WAGNER
The Outer Banks Sentinel

Now that the controversial repeal of the plastic bag ban on the Outer Banks has officially become law, local officials and organizations are left to consider what, if anything, they can do to mitigate the effects of its reversal.

Some of the repeal opponents acknowledge that they are relatively powerless to combat the repeal, and say the next move is up to local stores — most notably, the big retailers. Several of the stores contacted by the Sentinel declined to comment on any plans at this point.

Following a months-long debate that included a significant local outcry against the repeal, the N.C. General Assembly voted on Oct. 4 to override a veto by Governor RoyCooper of House Bill 56. The repeal was embedded in the bill, which featured a long list of environmental measures, including one that earmarked funding for studies of the GenX chemical found in the Cape Fear River and Wilmington water systems.

The Dare Board of Commissioners, along with all the county municipalities, had passed resolutions opposing the repeal. The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce was also vocal in its opposition of the measure.

Nags Head Mayor Bob Edwards told the Sentinel that, while his town’s board of commissioners has not yet taken up the question of what to do next, it is waiting to see what action local stores will take. “I’m not sure what we can do at this point,” Edwards said. “As a municipality, we can only do what the state allows us to do. Hopefully our local merchants will do the right thing and continue to only provide paper bags.”

Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce President Karen Brown said the chamber’s Government Affairs Committee would meet in mid-October to discuss what action it could take locally to mitigate the effects of the repeal.

“We have had no initial discussion,” Brown said. “That would come out of that meeting.” While she added that she and the chamber were not surprised by the repeal, the legislature’s action was “overall very disappointing.”

In Kill Devil Hills, Mayor Sheila Davies said the issue will be on the Oct. 25 commissioners meeting agenda. “Now the focus shifts to local initiatives, what we can do to encourage businesses,” she told the commissioners during an Oct. 9 meeting.

John Windley, manager of Walgreens in Kill Devil Hill and a candidate for Kill Devil Hills Commissioner, told the Sentinel he plans to continue to only offer recyclable paper bags at his store as long as he is permitted. “To the extent of my influence in that store, I will only use recycled paper bags,” said Windley. But he added that “the day may come” that corporate orders change that. The bag ban, he said, “was not just the responsible thing, but it was also positive for business. For that reason, I want to support the ban even if the state has lifted it.”

Matthew Harakal, the media and community relations manager for Food Lion, told the Sentinel that the company is still evaluating the situation to see what its options are. “We understand the viewpoint from a lot of our customers on both sides of it,” Harakal said. “We don’t have much details on the steps ahead, except that we will focus on doing what’s best for our customers.”

Harakal added that there are a lot of supply questions that need to be answered, and any decision would take time. He added that regardless of the decision, “Food Lion would continue to promote reusable bags.”

Harris Teeter, Walmart and Belk did not respond to Sentinel requests for a comment.

As for the Outer Banks Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, spokesperson Ivy Ingram said the organization was working on building a website that would serve as an educational tool for residents.

“The website will also highlight local businesses and bigger chains that choose to stay plastic bag free,” said Ingram. While Ingram said it was encouraging that a number of locally owned stores have indicated they will not reinstate plastic bags, “Ultimately, the only way we are going to see significant impacts, is if the big chains are not using the bags.”

Dare County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Wally Overman said he didn’t know of any concerted efforts at the county level to actively talk to businesses about honoring the now-defunct ban. But he voiced frustration over the repeal and added that it’s up to the businesses now.

“No one asked for this, they just got it done,” he said in reference to the repeal. “Unfortunately, even Third World countries recognize that plastic is pollution to the environment and yet we continue to move backwards,” noted Nags Head Mayor Pro Tem Susie Walters.