Legislation would give power back to local governments to help protect the earth and freshwater
LANSING, Mich., April 4, 2025 — State Rep. Morgan Foreman (D-Pittsfield Twp.) and Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) introduced legislation that would restore local control and aid community efforts to control litter and waste. House Bill 4299 and Senate Bill 195 would allow localities to implement plastic bag bans, limit the use or sale of plastic bags and impose a fee or tax on certain containers.
“It is silly not to allow local governments to have control over their own regulations. Especially when it comes to environmental pollution. Communities should have the opportunity to do their part and make our world less polluted,” Foreman said. “I’m grateful to be able to act so that the cities I represent have the ability to do what is right for them. Plastics are polluting our environment — we should be taking action at all levels to protect our lands and our Great Lakes.”
The Alliance for the Great Lakes reported that 86% of the litter collected at their cleanup between 2003 and 2023 was composed partially or fully of plastic. It takes about 10 to 20 years for plastic bags to degrade and even then, they can break down into microplastics that harm not only the environment but also wildlife.
“Before 2016, local governments were allowed to make decisions about one-time use plastics in their communities. My legislation gives back power to local communities to make their own decisions about how best to deal with plastics — especially bags — that are trashing our spaces,” said Shink. “When we return decision-making power to the people, then communities can do what is right for them.”
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