Who is impacted? From coastlines to urban neighborhoods, plastic bag pollution touches everyone in Virginia Beach. Tourists, residents, farmers, and businesses face the repercussions. These bags not only tarnish our beaches and threaten marine life but also disrupt local agriculture and exacerbate flooding. Moreover, disadvantaged areas often disproportionately bear the burden of waste, leading to heightened health risks and deepening social inequities.

What is at stake? We care about clean water and the health and safety of our wildlife. Our beaches and marine ecosystems are frequently exposed to plastic bag pollution, and our agricultural sector also contends with compromised yields. Plastic bags can clog stormwater pipes contributing to more flooded streets and they greatly disrupt the recycling process, driving up the cost by causing damage to the equipment. Instituting a plastic bag fee can curtail these growing concerns and promote community-wide sustainable habits.

Why is now the time to act? Virginia Beach is facing a crossroads in which we must decide how to contend with our consumption and waste issues. With the incinerator plant closing in Portsmouth, all household trash being shipped to Suffolk, and the state of our recycling system in jeopardy, a plastic bag fee is an important tool to help reduce waste and pollution. Immediate action isn’t just an environmental need; it's a step towards taking responsibility for reducing our waste in Virginia Beach.