FOLLY BEACH, SC— The City of Folly Beach is looking to become more environmentally friendly while protecting wildlife.
On August 9, the City Council will vote on an ordinance to eliminate single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam coolers within city limits.
The ordinance would require all retail establishments and food vendors to only provide recycled paper bags or reusable bags as checkout bags for customers, and would also restrict the sale of Styrofoam coolers.
The ordinance was introduced more than two years ago by the Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League in an effort to protect the pristine Folly Beach environment.
Single-use plastic bags are detrimental to the environment, acting as an eye sore on salt marshes, and harming wildlife such as threatened and endangered sea turtles.
Results from a recent survey sent to Folly Association of Business (FAB) members indicate that a majority of business owners on the island support the ordinance.
More than 60% of FAB members who responded to the survey support the ordinance. In addition, during a spring meeting of FAB, members voted unanimously to support the ordinance.
“The Folly Association of Business believes that the ocean and our beaches are our most important assets.” Commented Lewis Dodson, President of the Folly Beach Association of Businesses, “In this belief we are committed to protecting those assets. Single use plastic bags and Styrofoam coolers are two large impactors effecting the eco system and beauty of our coastlines. The Folly Association of Business is proud to be proactive and self-regulating to better our community and protect our waterways.”
