Here’s why coffee cups and lids aren’t included

YORK, Maine — City voters will be asked to support a new ban on single-use plastics in May’s referendum, excluding cups and lids.

The proposed ordinance was put to a vote Monday by the select committee with a 5-0 vote. The proposal bans plastic forks, knives, containers and other disposable items.

York High School Eco Club member Aidan Ring, who presented the proposal, said the ban on cups and lids was lifted after receiving feedback from business owners. High school students worked with business owners over the last year to develop the draft ordinance.

“We wanted to show the Selectboard that we were listening to business feedback,” Ring said.

Board members said the changes have made a difference.

Mike Estes said he was concerned about the impact on businesses that sell a lot of takeout coffee, like Anthony’s.

“I congratulate you,” Estes told the students. “If you hadn’t removed the cups, I wouldn’t have voted to move this forward.”

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The York High School Eco Club has been working on a citywide ordinance banning plastics since last year, when it first approached the Selectboard about putting one on the ballot. Students were inspired by past efforts to make York more environmentally friendly, including the successful passage of ordinances banning single-use plastic bags as well as Styrofoam cups, containers and lids.

The proposal to ban all single-use plastics was initially rejected by the Selectboard after business owners expressed concerns about the financial and practical impact. Instead, a committee was formed, made up of business owners who worked with the students to develop a more acceptable ordinance.

The ordinance presented to voters in May would be enforced by the code enforcement officer, with a $100 fine for the first offense. A second offense would result in a $200 fine and a third offense would result in a $500 fine.

The ordinance would ban straws, stir sticks and plastic utensils in stores, restaurants, coffee/tea shops, cafeterias, caterers, food delivery services or city-sponsored events. Exceptions include health care facilities, as Selectboard Chairman Todd Frederick suggested last year.

At a public hearing Monday evening, Caitlynn Ramsey, whose family runs the Anchorage Inn and Sun and Surf restaurant, said she opposed the initiative when it was first presented to the voters. After serving on the committee working on a new ordinance, she believes the proposal put on the ballot in May is worth passing and works for business owners.

Ramsey said it would cost his company about $3,066 a year to comply with the proposed ordinance. She acknowledges that increased costs could impact customers, but believes the change is worth it for the environment.

“I think this is a small step in the right direction for our community,” Ramsey said.

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The ordinance still faces some opposition

Removing cups and lids from the ban wasn’t enough for all business owners to support the ordinance.

Carolyn Brennan, co-owner of the Village Scoop, said she wasn’t sure how she would find compostable straws effective for scooping up hard-served ice cream. She said she started looking for alternatives and didn’t find a good substitute.

“I ask you, please don’t put an order in place that we can’t comply with,” Brennan said.

While Estes said he applauded the removal of the ban cuts, board members Robert Palmer and Marla Johnson said they would like to stay in place.

City Manager Peter Joseph and the council commended the students for their work.

“It doesn’t often happen that people get along and cooperate within government to try to solve the problem,” Joseph said.

Ring said he was optimistic about the voter ban in May. He became involved with the Eco Club because of his passion for the environment. He believes the Selectboard’s unanimous support indicates the proposed ban on single-use plastics will get the support it needs in the referendum.

“Now that it’s on the ballot, I’m very confident,” Ring said. “I’m excited to start campaigning for this.”

This article was originally published on the Portsmouth Herald: York to vote on plastic ban that excludes coffee cups and lids.