As the Village of Cumberland moves toward the possible restriction of single-use plastics, Mayor Leslie Baird is happy with the support and enthusiasm this initiative is receiving from local businesses.
Following last week’s council meeting, Baird has been pounding the pavement, talking to business owners and listening to their opinions on getting rid of plastic bags and straws.
READ MORE: Cumberland to look at single use plastic bag ban in the village
“I’ve talked to almost every business in the community and they’re all on board,” she says. “Some people were surprised that we haven’t done this already. Others were already implementing (restrictions) themselves and then everyone that I’ve talked to is very supportive of this moving forward.”
Baird says certain businesses, like Seeds Food Market, were already using multi-use plastics bags, and other businesses have stopped giving out straws unless specifically asked by a customer.
If this ban is implemented, Baird anticipates each business will have six months to comply in order to use up existing stock.
“I think we as individuals need to take responsibility and stop using these things that are hurting the environment,” she says. “It’s not something that is far outreaching; it is something that we can do personally to help.”
Council expects a staff report on the issue to be returned before the end of the summer.
