New Ad Released to Inform Maryland of Negative Consequences Of Latest Bag Ban and Tax Proposal

Grocery Bag Legislation Would Hurt Small Businesses and Low-Income Families; Most Tax Revenue Kept by Grocery Chains

The American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA) today launched a new radio advertisement to inform Marylanders of the negative consequences of the latest state bill to ban and tax grocery bags. The legislation, which would make grocery store visits even more expensive for Maryland families, seeks to ban 100-percent recyclable, highly reused plastic bags and impose a 10-cent tax on paper bags. The majority of the tax would be retained by grocers, instead of being dedicated to support environmental initiatives or another public purpose. 

The APBA also today launched www.bagthebanmaryland.com as a resource for all Marylanders to learn more about the bill and to communicate directly with their state legislators.

“Bag bans and taxes haven’t been a good idea in previous years when the legislature considered similar proposals. And nothing has changed,” said Mark Daniels, Chairman of the APBA. “These policies don’t solve waste management problems and they don’t benefit local economies or residents. In fact, they threaten to harm the most vulnerable citizens and even jeopardize hundreds of jobs here in Maryland. All Maryland residents should contact their legislators and urge them to vote NO on this terrible bill.”

The new radio ad, called “Worse,” will begin airing Monday, February 1st.

To listen the ad, go here.

About the American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA)
The American Progressive Bag Alliance was founded in 2005 to represent the United States’ plastic bag manufacturing and recycling sector, employing approximately 25,000 employees in 349 communities across the nation. APBA promotes the responsible use, reuse, recycling and disposal of plastic bags and advocates for American-made plastic products as the best environmental choice at check out—for both retailers and consumers.

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