By Veronica Campbell
New legislation in Virginia will soon give some power to local governments and help environmental organizations and businesses combat plastic pollution.
Jim Deppe is an advocacy coordinator for Lynnhaven River Now, an organization that believes in restoring and protecting Virginia’s waterways. Deppe also coordinates the Virginia Coastal Alliance, which comprises 17 organizations in Virginia that focus on off-shore drilling and single-use plastics.
“Bags, polystyrene and balloons are all significant problems in the marine environment,” Deppe said. “Two years ago, there was no option for municipalities to put laws in place locally that would allow the elimination of plastic bags, polystyrene and balloons.”
That’s because traditionally, Virginia is a Dillon Rule state. That means municipalities or cities are limited to the powers…
