Around the country, legislation is being considered that will have a big impact on consumers, restaurants and small businesses. Some lawmakers want to change the way we eat and drink by banning certain types of food containers.

What is missing from these debates are facts on the real impact on consumers and small businesses.

While it is certainly a business owner’s right to choose the containers he or she uses, it should give lawmakers pause to mandate another costly regulation on the food service industry. The food service industry operates under very tight profit margins, and increasing their business expenses will result in higher costs for families trying to put food on the table.

Driving up the cost of doing business and raising the cost of items we use every day will do nothing to improve the quality of life and will have negative consequences for families here in our state. We all would be well-served to address pollution with a renewed focus on recycling initiatives and litter control.