SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Surfside Beach Town Council recently received a request for a waiver on the ban of single-use plastic bags.
The Surfside Beach Bargain Beachwear Store said, in an email, they already bought a large amount of plastic bags for the upcoming season and requested a one year waiver. The request, from Denise Durham, said it would “give us time to avoid the great expense of destroying all these bags.”
Earlier this year, the town passed a ban on single-use plastic bags which goes into effect June 1, 2018.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, most council members were against granting the waiver.
“I think it sets a terrible precedent,” said councilwoman, Julie Samples.
Councilman, Mark Johnson, said he doesn’t think the town did enough to tell businesses about the ban. He said he’s spoken to several businesses in the town who were unaware the ban was passed and even apologized for voting it into law.
“If we’re going to ban bags, ban them on the beach. Otherwise it’s a cluster,” said Johnson. “And I, for one, I apologize for voting for it.”
Several council members, including Johnson, said most of the people who advocated for the ban came to the town from places like Pawley’s Island and North Carolina and were not locals. However, Elizabeth Bradley, who lives in the town, told the council she is passionate about the ban because of the positive effect is has on the environment.
“It’s upsetting to see it coming back up again,” said Bradley. “However, I’m thrilled you all decided this waiver is not something you should support and I hope you continue to keep that in mind in the future.”
The waiver was denied for the beachwear business.
