PORTLAND — The Portland City Council is scheduled to take up two proposals that proponents say would cut back on litter and help the environment.
The full council will meet Monday to hear public comments on a proposed nickel fee on disposable shopping bags and a second proposal that would prohibit restaurants and retailers from using polystyrene foam food and beverage containers.
Both measures have been discussed in detail in committee.
The bag fee would apply at stores where food constitutes at least 2 percent of gross sales but would not apply to dry cleaners, restaurants and farmers’ markets.
Opponents of the measures say they are burden on businesses and consumers and a better approach would be to invest in recycling efforts and educating consumers.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
