Martha Ainsworth

“CLA’s excellent legal research on the express powers of municipalities and charter counties was a game-changer for local efforts to enact ordinances that would reduce plastic pollution and incentivize use of reusable shopping bags.  The most effective policy would ban provision of plastic carryout bags at the point of sale, and require retailers to charge a minimum amount for paper bags.  But local lawmakers were concerned that they may lack the authority to require retailers to charge for carryout bags.  CLA’s research confirmed that municipalities and charter counties do have this authority.  As a result of this work, local ordinances that had been put on hold are now back in play.  Profound thanks to Will Halnon for prioritizing this work that will advance local efforts to control plastic pollution and single-use waste!”