Statewide plastic bag ban efforts continue despite lack of action in NM Legislature

Proponents of a statewide ban on single use plastic bags continue to advocate for change despite failed legislation on the topic in the 2023 New Mexico Legislative session.

State Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-36) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 243, titled the “Plastic Waste Reduction Act,” on Jan. 25 during the opening days of the 60-day legislative session in Santa Fe, according to the New Mexico Legislature’s website.

Changes were made to the original bill Feb. 14 in the Senate Conservation Committee. The legislation was sent to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee, but it did not advance as the session came to an end March 18.

More: New Mexico legislator proposes banning single-use plastic bags at retailers statewide

Steinborn expressed disappointment SB 243 did not reach a final vote.

“We got so close but I also think it shows that we really we do have an opportunity to help clean up the scourge of this plastic in New Mexico. I definitely plan to keep working on it with all the partners around the state,” he said.

The New Mexico Recycling Coalition (NMRC) was one of nearly 16 environmental organizations across the state supporting the proposed ban.

Executive Director Sarah Pierpont said SB 243 ran out of time during the 2023 session. She said everyone involved with the legislation is regrouping and looking for other alternatives.

Steinborn said SB 243 would have prohibited retailers from handing out single use plastic bags with some exceptions like uncooked food, take out food from a restaurant or laundry from a dry cleaners.

Pierpont said NMRC may try and work with cities and counties in New Mexico instead of reintroducing SB 243 in the 2024 legislature.

“There are efforts to keep moving at the local level,” she said.

The 2024 legislative session is 30 days and is limited to budget matters and other items placed on the governor’s agenda, according to the New Mexico State Constitution.

More: Ban the bag? Carlsbad considers ban on plastic bags amid litter concerns

Plastic bag bans are in place in Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Silver City, Taos and Bernalillo County, according to Pierpont.

Nearly four years ago the City of Carlsbad discussed an ordinance which would ban plastic bags. The idea did not gain much traction as the COVID-19 pandemic struck Carlsbad and Eddy County in 2020.

Ward 2 Carlsbad City Councilor Jeff Forrest said the City of Carlsbad could revive discussions of a plastic bag ban. He would like input from other communities that have instituted bans.

“I want to keep our town clean and New Mexico clean. There’s plastic bags everywhere and the problem is people throw them away and it’s so windy here in the spring and they blow out and get on bushes,” he said.

“I’m like everyone else. I get tired of seeing plastic bags hung up in mesquite bushes all around town."

More: State grant helps Carlsbad fight trash issues

Zachary Taylor, director of the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance (ARBPA), said a statewide plastic bag ban would have impacted families in New Mexico who are dealing with inflation and higher grocery prices.

“Not having to pay more for grocery bags at the store is a win for New Mexico families. We as an organization remain interested with the proponents on alternative approaches that will address concerns about litter,” he said.

Taylor said there is an apparent misunderstanding in the general public regarding plastic bags.

“We certainly recognize the desire regarding proposals to regulate plastic carry out bags maybe driven by sustainability. We think it’s a little more complicated than this bag is good or this bag is bad,” he said.

“Alternatives -whether that’s paper or reusable bags - have higher emissions profiles and consume more water and energy when they’re manufactured and require more uses to offset those environmental impacts."

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Statewide plastic bag ban failed in Legislature efforts move forward