Stonington — The town became the latest to embrace a ban on single-use plastic bags and straws, as residents here approved an ordinance to do so at Thursday night’s town meeting.

The overwhelming approval came after a long list of residents spoke in support of the plan.

Stephanie Hayes Houlihan, who co-owns Water Street Cafe in the borough, said her restaurant already uses paper products instead of single-use plastics and said the small added cost is a “small price to pay” for the lives of whales, dolphins, seals and birds.

Several speakers offered examples of the large number of marine animals that are found with plastics in their digestive systems.

Houlihan added the ordinance will “maintain and enhance the quality of life we are so fortunate to have in this New England community.”

The plastics ban is the result of work by the Plastic Bags and Straws Ad Hoc Committee, which was formed by selectmen last summer to come up with a plan to reduce plastic waste and address the increasing problem of discarded plastic in marine waters, fish and mammals.

Jason Hine of the local progressive advocacy group Rise Up Mystic said the vast majority of his group's members favor the ban. “Even though plastic pollution is a global problem, we have an opportunity to take action,” he said.

The ordinance requires that anyone engaged in retail sales use reusable or recyclable paper bags for customers and no businesses can provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags.

There are exemptions for double opening and plastic barrier bags used for wrapping fish, meat and flowers, laundry and newspapers. Under the ordinance, a full-service restaurant cannot provide a plastic straw unless a customer requests one.

Ad hoc committee member Farrah Kaeser said during the hearing that an outright ban on plastic straws would impact the disabled and elderly, which is why plastic straws still can be requested.

She added the committee’s diverse membership “did not want to hurt our marginalized groups.”

“We wanted to maintain equity and welcomeness in our community,” she said.

There will now be a six-month window for public education and for businesses to dispose of their existing inventory of plastic bags and straws and make the conversion.

After that, anyone who violates the ban will be notified by the town and given 14 days to comply. Each subsequent violation is punishable by a $150 fine. Fine money will be used “for further initiatives to create a culture of plastic waste reduction.” The town also will not renew licenses for businesses found to be in violation of the ordinance.

Representatives of both the Ocean Community and the Greater Mystic chambers of commerce spoke in favor of the ordinance.

j.wojtas@theday.com