MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Wetmore, City Administrator
Phone: (843) 513-1834/ Cell: (843) 693-8292
Email: [email protected]
City of Folly Beach First in State to Ban Plastic Bags, Balloons and Styrofoam
Products on Beach
Ordinances Put in Place to Protect Marine Resources
Folly Beach, S.C.-- Oct. 18, 2016— The City of Folly beach is the first municipality in the state of South Carolina to
prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags, Styrofoam food containers and coolers, and balloons on the
beach. Tonight’s vote by the Folly Beach City Council comes one month after the council unanimously voted into
law an ordinance that prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, Styrofoam coolers, containers,
and cups at point of sale within city limits.
While the ban on use of prohibited items on the beach takes effect immediately, the ban on distribution of bags
takes effect on January 1, 2017. For the next few months, the City of Folly Beach, local businesses, and nonprofit
partners will work to educate citizens and visitors about the new ordinances. The City aims to stress education and
awareness before punitive action.
Mayor Tim Goodwin fully supports the council’s vote and says it is critically important to protect our pristine
Lowcountry, “This is just one small step for the health of the environment. Our ocean and our ocean life are the
most important pieces of what makes Folly so special, and we have to do our part to preserve our piece of
paradise.”
Lewis Dodson, president of the Folly Association of Businesses, says members of the organization stand behind the
new ordinances, “Folly Beach is a close community and our businesses are an integral part of that community. As a
result we decided to be proactive in the way our businesses impact this Island. We saw the damage that nonrecyclable plastic bags and Styrofoam were inflicting on our most valuable asset, the beach and ocean, and decided
to make a change. Folly Beach’s businesses are committed to protecting these assets and being good stewards of the
ocean.”
Local conservation groups, including the Charleston Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, the Charleston
Waterkeeper, and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League have emphasized their support of this local
solution for a local problem as the City of Folly Beach stands as a leader, preventing dangerous plastic pollution
from reaching the ocean.
Fast Facts:
 Folly Beach City Council voted unanimously to prohibit single-use plastic carryout bags, Styrofoam coolers
and food containers, and balloons from the beach.
 Ordinance goes into effect immediately.
 Vote follows unanimous vote on additional ordinance that prohibits businesses from distributing single-use
plastic carryout bags, Styrofoam coolers, containers and cups at point of sale, effective January 1, 2017.
 City of Folly Beach first municipality in South Carolina to ban these items from within city limits and on the
beach.
 Ordinances in place to protect marine resources.
For information on City of Folly Beach Government news and services, the public can:
•
Visit our website: www.cityoffollybeach.com
•
Facebook: City of Folly Beach & Folly Beach Department of Public Safety
For media inquiries contact Spencer Wetmore, (843) 513-1834 or [email protected]