First year check-in: Community members weigh in on plastic bag reduction ordinance

SALISBURY, Md. – for 390 days and counting, Salisbury has been pioneering a plastic bag ban in Wicomico County, and according to the city’s website, the ban was put in place in an effort to decrease litter, prevent storm drain blockages and contribute to a healthier, more beautiful Salisbury.

But for shoppers like Shameka Johnson, who sometimes forgets her reusable totes at home, it’s been a long 12 months of leaving grocery stores, bagless.

“I didn’t like it. First off, because when you go to multiple stores and if you don’t have a bag, they’re just going to hand you the stuff [or] you got to pay $0.10 for a bag, and I just feel like that’s outrageous,” Johnson said.

On the other hand, Sheri Starliper said she’s been shopping with reusable bags for some years now and is glad the city finally caught up to her.

“I don’t want to spend the extra money for one thing, plus it saves on the garbage or recyclable stuff. I can just keep using them,” Starliper said.

But whether you’re for the plastic bag ban, or against it, you better get used to it, because it’s here to stay.