Walmart, Target and other businesses with shopping carts must pay $50 for each abandoned unit that is picked up by the city of North Charleston, South Carolina.

The measure seeks to reduce the presence of strollers on sidewalks, roads and other public spaces. The fee will not be charged to customers: it must be paid by the owner business when they want to recover the cart removed by the authorities.

How the new measure will work

Community services officers will be able to pick up carts found outside the establishments and transport them to the North Charleston public works facility.

The city will then notify the business identified as the owner. To recover the cart, the store must pay a fee of $50 per unit. The goal, according to local authorities, is for chains to take more measures to prevent carts from leaving their grounds.

Businesses can use wheel locking systems, tracking devices, more visible return areas or their own take-back programs.

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Why North Charleston Started Picking Them Up

Abandoned carts became a common sight in different areas of the city. They can block sidewalks, create risks for pedestrians and drivers, and remain next to empty roads or lots for days.

Tony Tassarotti, North Charleston Communications Manager, explained that the city detected numerous carts away from the establishments to which they belonged and abandoned on the side of the road.

The city maintains that the measure does not seek to punish the companies, but rather to transfer part of the responsibility for the prevention and recovery of these assets.

The money raised will not go to North Charleston's general fund. Authorities indicated that it will be used for community programs aimed at vulnerable people. Possible uses include opening shelters during cold spells and assisting homeless people in need of food, clothing or other basic resources.

In this way, the city hopes to turn a problem of urban cleanliness and safety into a source of financing for social services.

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Other cities also penalize abandoned carts

North Charleston is not the only city looking to hold businesses accountable. Fees and fines for recovered carts were approved in different locations in California, while Phoenix charged between $25 and $50 per unit.

These policies generate debate. Local governments maintain that collection consumes public time and money, while merchants argue that they are also victims when carts are stolen or removed without authorization.