<article><p class="lead">A number of US state and local governments have taken steps to temporarily reverse or delay implementation of single-use plastic bans out of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. </p><p>The delays are in response to concerns that reusable bags and containers carry more risk of spreading the virus than single-use items, which are designed to be used once and thrown away. Single-use plastic bags are typically made of high density polyethylene.</p><p>Maine's ban on single-use plastic bags had been set to begin on 22 April, but it has been delayed until at least 15 January 2021 in response to concerns about the virus. On 17 March, Maine Governor Janet Mills, announced the delay as part of a broader series of emergency measures intended to mitigate the spread of the virus in the state. </p><p>On 16 March, the city of Brookline, Massachusetts, announced it was suspending a ban on expandable polystyrene containers to make it easier for restaurants who have shut down in-store dining and have seen an increase in pick-ups and deliveries. That ban has been in effect since December 2013. </p><p>The enforcement of New York state's ban on single-use plastic bags, which went into effect on 1 March, has now been delayed until at least 15 May.</p><p>Enforcement measures for the ban had initially been delayed until 15 April due to an unrelated challenge in the courts. Action on that lawsuit has been delayed due to the coronavirus limiting court business, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has said it will not pursue enforcement action until at least 15 May. </p><p>In New Hampshire, which does not have a ban, Governor Christopher Sununu (R) issued an emergency order on 21 March requiring grocery stores to temporarily transition to the use of single-use paper or plastic bags instead of reusable bags.</p><p>"With identified community transmission, it is important that shoppers keep their reusable bags at home, given the potential risk to baggers, grocers and customers," Sununu said in a tweet. </p><p>It is not immediately clear whether other states will take similar measures, with plastic bag ban legislation still being considered recently in states such as Washington and Maryland. Washington's state legislature passed a ban on 10 March, but it is still awaiting the governor's signature. Maryland's House of Delegates voted on 12 March to approve legislation creating a bag ban. That legislation will now be considered by the Maryland Senate.</p><p>Single-use plastic bans have become a growing threat for the plastics industry. Packaging, including single-use packaging, represents around 33pc of end-use demand for thermoplastic resins as a whole, according to the American Chemistry Council. </p><p class="bylines">By Michelle Klump</p></article>
