SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Friday was the first day of a law in the Grand Strand town, which is aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the ocean.
The plastic bag ban officially went into effect Friday in Surfside Beach, which environmentalists say is a great move for the town.
The law prevents businesses in Surfside from giving out single-use plastic bags. It also prevents anyone from giving out plastic bags at a town-sponsored event. Surfside Beach is one of several coastal towns in South Carolina with a plastic bag ban.
The leader of a group that pushed for the bag ban says reducing plastic waste will benefit the town’s environment and economy.
“When people realize and understand that fish now contain plastic contaminants, they will be very reluctant to eat the fish,” said Goffinet McLaren, who’s a co-founder of the Chirping Birds Society. “So it’s going to hurt our fishing industry and all related industries, including tourism.”
Surfside’s town council can grant a waiver of up to a year for any business unable to provide an alternative to plastic bags.
A first-time violation is up to a $100 fine, up to $200 for a second violation and up to $500 for any violations after that.
