On the banned wagon

In addition to classroom visits, tabling and exhibiting opportunities, talking to groups large and small up and down the state, our educational programs have included a Guinness Book of World Records world’s largest plastic bag ball project, outreach to Delaware’s restaurateurs which led to more than 100 restaurants voluntarily offering straws-by-request only, and a reusable bag sewing project using fabric remnants and providing handmade shopping bags to food banks and others least likely to be able to afford to their own reusable bags. With Covid-19 curtailing in-person outreach and educational programs, PFD initiated a monthly webinar series on various plastic pollution and zero waste issues which has been well received and will continue “post Covid”. School visits, festival and conference tabling, film screenings, presentations, and reusable bag giveaways are beginning to gear up again as the Covid concern abates.

Significant policy achievements to date include:

• 2011 - BringYourOwnBag (BYOB) led the drafting and passage of a state Senate resolution on plastic bags requesting a full report on the current at-store plastic bag recycling program as a first step toward “improving the program and bettering the environment”
• 2012 - BringYourOwnBag members led the establishment of a legislatively-appointed task force in to investigate and document issues surrounding single-use plastic bags and out of this task force the Delaware Plastic Pollution Action Coalition (DEPPAC) was born. The group agreed that the main objective was initially to focus on the issue of single-use plastic bags, but as capacity, support and achievements grew, to also address other single-use plastics and litter as well. 
• 2014 - BYOB/DEPPAC members led the effort to secure passage of legislation to extend Delaware’s current plastic bag recycling law which was set to sunset on December 2, 2014, and prevented the sunset from being permanently removed (thereby removing incentive to take the next step legislatively, banning plastic bags). 
• 2015 -  Partnership building by BYOB has led to agreement by the Food Industry Alliance in Delaware (large retailers – grocery stores and convenience stores) on general wording and approach of statewide legislation to place a fee on plastic and paper bags. By request of BYOB, Representative Deborah Hudson introduced House Bill 202 in late June 202, shortly before the Delaware legislature summer recess. BYOB is now leading efforts to expand the Delaware Plastic Pollution Action Coalition and build legislative and public support, hold a press event in early January 2016 when the legislature reconvenes, and work to support its successful journey through the House Natural Resources Committee, the House, the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the Senate by June 30, 2015. As of 12/14/15 Delaware could still be the first state to successfully pass such a bill in the U.S. although many other countries, cities and counties have already done so – 54% of the world’s population is estimated be under similar laws at this point.
• 2019 Delaware House Bill 130 – the fourth state in the U.S. to pass a law banning plastic bags
• 2019 Delaware House Concurrent Resolution 17 recognized the issue of plastic pollution and the role of plastic straws, and requires the Delaware Restaurant Association to report back by May 1, 2020, on voluntary efforts its members have taken to curb plastic pollution.
• 2021 Delaware Senate Bill 24 – designating balloon releases as littering and therefore banned
• 2021 Delaware House Bill 212 – “bag bill 2.0” to refine the definition of allowable reusable bags as having stitched handles, and expanding the bag ban law to all Delaware retailers, not just the largest ones, effective date of July 1, 2022
• 2021 - Delaware Senate bills 134 & 140, to address expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam©), plastic straws and picks, stalled but led to SB134 in 2022
• 2021 - House Bill 22, Right to Repair legislation - stalled
• 2021 - TABLED - New Castle County Ordinance 21-049 to reduce gypsum (drywall) in construction debris from being landfilled (a zero waste and air quality initiative)
• 2022 - Delaware Senate Bill 134 to ban expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) and to make plastic straws by request only, sponsored by Senator Trey Paradee and House sponsor Paul Baumbach.  Passed the Senate.  Buried in the House by special interests. Look for reintroduction in 2023
• 2023 HB?? Right to Repair (stalled)(RBK)
• 2023 - Passage of Senate Bill 51 which largely bans expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) in Delaware dining establishments effective July 1, 2025.  It also bans plastic picks and makes plastic straws available only by request.
• 2023 - Senate Bill 155 grants PFD a specialty license plate to spread our message in a new novel way!