Plastic Bag Ban on SPI?

Wednesday at the South Padre Island commissioner meeting the council discussing the possibly of banning plastic bags on South Padre Island by 2012. The city council approved to request an ordinance. Under the ordinance if passed there would be a volunteer ban on plastic bags at checkouts from February until the end of the year. After that it in January 2012 it would become mandatory.

Many are in favor of the ban including Shane Wilson who is the president of board for Sea Turtle Inc.

"When they do blow into the ocean or bay sea turtles think of them as jellyfish and they shallow and eat them they end up dying."

While many were in favor of the ban one city commissioner did address that it could have an impact on small businesses. This is what business owner on the Island told her.

"I don't know how to do it without passing that cost onto my customers, so it puts a burden on the businesses that are already struggling."

The commissioners have to approve two readings before the ban would go in effect.