Portland city councilors voted to charge consumers a nickel for every disposable shopping bag they get and to ban foam containers for food and beverages in an effort to reduce trash that pollutes waterways.
The two 6-3 votes came after nearly two hours of impassioned testimony, and two years after councilors began discussing the proposals. The testimony was sharply divided, with most individuals speaking in support of the measures and most business representatives opposing them.
Starting next spring, Portland will be among relatively few communities in New England with both a bag fee and a ban on the type of polystyrene foam that’s commonly used in coffee cups and take-out food containers.
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