Project
Plastic Pollution
The Coastal Conservation League is working on several initiatives designed to reduce plastic pollution in our state.
In spite of best efforts, litter continues to be a major environmental concern for water quality, human health, and wildlife. The single-use plastic bag is one of the most harmful pieces of litter entering our environment today.
If littered, single-use plastic bags strangle marine animals or break down into tiny fragments of plastic that infiltrate our waterways and work through food webs, including the diets of humans. Studies show that microplastic ingestion can cut oyster reproduction rates nearly in half. If inappropriately recycled, single-use plastic bags destroy machinery at recycling facilities or degrade municipal compost.
Plastic pollution accumulates daily in our oceans. Marine life from across the spectrum, from microscopic organisms at the base of the food chain to albatross, dolphins, and whales at the top, are ingesting these toxic materials.
We work within our communities — with citizens, elected officials, and partners to reduce harmful plastic pollution and implement policy changes designed to protect our water, wildlife, and quality of life.
Local Plastics Ordinances in South Carolina
1. City of Isle of Palms
- Passed: June 2015; Implemented: January 1, 2016
- What’s in it: Plastic bag ban at point-of-sale. Amended June 2019 to also ban polystyrene/foam and straws at point of sale + prohibition on beach.
- Passed: September 2016; Implemented: January 1, 2017
- What’s in it: Plastic bag and polystyrene/foam ban at point-of-sale + prohibition on beach
3-7. Beaufort County, City of Beaufort, Town of Bluffton, Town of Port Royal, Town of Hilton Head
- Passed: January-February 2018; Implemented: November 1, 2018
- What’s in it: Plastic bag ban at point-of-sale
- Passed: January 2018; Implemented: June 1, 2018
- What’s in it: Plastic bag ban at point-of-sale
- Passed: April 2018; Implemented: April 16, 2019
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
- Passed: November 2018; Implemented: December 1, 2018
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale + prohibition on beach
- Passed: November 2018; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
12. Town of James Island
- Passed: January 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
13. Town of Arcadia Lakes
- Passed: February 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag and polystyrene/foam ban at point-of-sale
14. Charleston County (unincorporated)
- Passed: March 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
15. City of Camden
- Passed: March 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag ban at point-of-sale
- Passed: April 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
17. City of North Myrtle Beach
- Passed: April 2019; Implemented: October 1, 2022
- What’s in it: Plastic bag ban at point-of-sale
- Passed: June 2019; Implemented: September 8, 2019
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale + prohibition on beach
- Passed: July 2019; Implemented: January 1, 2020
- What’s in it: Plastic bag, polystyrene/foam, straw ban at point-of-sale
To learn more or get involved, check out what’s happening with plastics along the North Coast, in Charleston, and along the South Coast, and reach out to us!