Plastic Bag Bans Hurt Businesses And Consumers, Says GOP Lawmaker

One of the lawmakers behind a bill that would prohibit local bans on plastic bags says that such policies hurt businesses and pass along costs to the consumer.

Rep. Mike Rohrkaste, R-Neenah is a cosponsor of AB 730, which would also end bans on any "auxiliary container" used to transport or protect merchandise, food or beverages. Rohrkaste said that such local bans mean manufacturers of the containers and bags have to figure out new ways of "meeting a particular market" — something that inevitably increases costs...

...Stevens Point is one Wisconsin city that’s looking at implementing a plastic bag ban, or at the very least encouraging consumers to use more environmentally friendly products. Mayor Mike Wiza challenged city residents not to use plastic bags during the month of March....