A movement to ban single-use plastic bags gained momentum Tuesday, as Middlebury, Manchester and Burlington voters all went on record in support of a ban.
The votes are advisory, and follow Brattleboro’s bag ban that went into effect last year. Montpelier voters in November also asked for a charter change to prohibit the bags.
The votes on this Town Meeting Day were lopsided. According to unofficial returns, Burlington voters were 6,581 in favor of a bag ban, 1,429 opposed. In Middlebury, the results were 838 for the ban, 211 opposed.
Manchester held a voice vote on the issue and, according to the Manchester Journal, only a few scattered "nays" were heard.
Addison Sen. Christopher Bray, who chairs the Senate Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation for a statewide ban. He said in a tweet that the message of support was clear.
GOOD NEWS — on plastic waste
— Christopher Bray (@Bray4VT) March 6, 2019
Middlebury votes 838-211 to recommend selectboard enact an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags.
Next week, Vermont Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee will be moving a bill — S.113 — to do just that for the entire state. #vtpoli pic.twitter.com/wilzDeBEWa
