Town Notes
2019 Quarter 3
The Newsletter of the Town of Kiawah Island Town of Kiawah Island • 4475 Betsy Kerrison Drive Kiawah Island, SC 29455 • 843-768-9166 • www.kiawahisland.org
Town Council Passes Ordinance Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags, Plastic Straws and Styrofoam On June 4, 2019, Town Council approved a new ordinance banning single-use plastics on Kiawah Island effective September 8, 2019. With the passing of this ordinance, Town Council intends to protect and preserve the natural environment of Kiawah by regulating the use of materials detrimental to the environment and promote the use of environmentally preferred materials. The ordinance prohibits businesses from distributing: • Single-use plastic carryout bags; • Plastic straws; • Products made from Styrofoam including food service ware and; • On the beach, the ordinance prohibits the possession of single-use plastic carryout bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam, and balloons. Business establishments are encouraged to make reusable carry out bags available for sale, recyclable paper carry out bags available for such distribution and use, and to use locally recyclable and compostable material. Recyclable plastic bags must be a minimum thickness of 4 mils; capable of being cleaned and disinfected and have a minimum lifetime of one hundred twenty-five (125) uses. Request for Exemptions: A grocery establishment or food provider may request an exemption from the requirements of this Ordinance, for a period up to one year, upon written request to the Chairman of the Environmental Committee. The request must show that the Ordinance would create an undue hardship or practical difficulty not generally applicable to other persons in similar circumstances. Requests should be sent to Jim Jordan via email at jjordan@kiawahisland.org or by mail to 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway Kiawah Island, SC 29455.
The Ordinance does not apply to the following list of exemptions: • • • • • • •
Laundry dry cleaning bags, door-hanger bags, ice bags, newspaper bags, or packages of multiple bags intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or yard waste; Bags provided by physicians, dentists, pharmacists or veterinarians to contain prescription drugs or other medical necessities; Bags used inside business establishments to include: - Contain bulk items, such as produce, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items; - Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, whether or not prepackaged; - Contain or wrap flowers, potted plants or other items to prevent moisture damage to other purchases; or - Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods Bags used by a non-profit organization or other hunger-relief charity to distribute food, grocery products, clothing, or other household items; Bags of any type that the customer brings to the store for their own use for carrying away from the store goods; Plastic straws necessary for customers with medical or physical conditions; Meat trays, plastic lids used to contain foods and liquids, to-go condiments and cutlery (i.e., forks, spoons, knives)
The complete list of exemptions and a copy of the ordinance can be read at www.kiawahisland.org/latest-news
Jack Kotz