Proposed changes add Styrofoam restrictions and shift enforcement to civil penalties
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County Council voted May 26 to advance amendments to the county’s existing plastic bag ordinance, moving forward a proposal that would expand restrictions on single-use plastics and Styrofoam products while changing how violations are enforced.
The ordinance, which passed second reading following a public hearing, would broaden the county’s current regulations to include thicker plastic carryout bags and expanded polystyrene food-service ware, commonly known as Styrofoam.
The proposal would also require plastic straws and plastic utensils to be provided only upon request or made available through self-service stations.
County officials said the amendments are the result of a multi-year review process that included public surveys, stakeholder meetings and presentations to local governments throughout Beaufort County.
What would change
Under the proposed revisions, businesses would no longer be permitted to provide certain plastic bags or Styrofoam food-service products in unincorporated Beaufort County.
The ordinance would also require customers to specifically request plastic straws, forks, spoons and knives rather than having them automatically included with meals or orders.
Supporters of the changes argued the revisions strike a balance between reducing plastic waste and allowing businesses flexibility in serving customers.
One speaker noted that the ordinance does not ban plastic straws or utensils outright but instead changes how they are distributed.
“All it’s doing is having people ask for those straws and plastic utensils,” the speaker told council during the public hearing. “That’s all it’s doing.”
Changes to enforcement
Before approving the ordinance, council amended the enforcement section to replace criminal penalties with civil fines.
Under the revised language, businesses would first receive a written warning. Subsequent violations could result in civil penalties of up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation within a 12-month period and up to $500 for additional violations.
Council also amended the ordinance to clarify that the restrictions would apply at county facilities, county-sponsored events and events held on county-owned property located in unincorporated Beaufort County.
Public input
The ordinance drew comments from residents and environmental advocates during the public hearing.
Supporters cited concerns about litter, impacts on waterways and the growing presence of plastic waste throughout the region.
The proposed amendments build on Beaufort County’s existing plastic bag ordinance and follow similar discussions taking place in municipalities across the county.
The measure now moves to County Council for a third and final reading. If approved, the revised ordinance would take effect in unincorporated Beaufort County, while municipalities would continue to determine their own regulations within town and city limits.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.