The Plastic Bag Bylaw, passed by a wide-margin at Town Meeting in May 2019, will ban the distribution of thin-film single-use plastic bags at the end of a transaction, in stores and in restaurants. The bylaw will go into effect on January 22, 2020 for larger businesses, and July 22, 2020 for smaller businesses. At last count, 122 towns and cities in MA have adopted similar by-laws.
The Bylaw does not ban dry cleaner bags, newspaper bags or produce bags within a grocery store.
TRANSITION TIPS FOR MERCHANTS & BUSINESSES
We hope this change is as trouble-free for you as possible. Below are tips from other towns that have already implemented this change.
- If you already sell or provide reusable bags, ensure they comply with the bag bylaw, i.e. are thick enough and are sewn with stitched handles, specifically: "a sewn bag with stitched handles that is specifically designed for multiple reuse and that (1) can carry 25 pounds over a distance of 300 feet; (2) can be washed or disinfected; and, (3) is made of either (a) natural fibers such as cotton; or (b) durable, non-toxic plastic, that is generally considered a food-grade material (ie. not polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride), and is more than 4 mils thick."
- If you don’t sell reusable bags, consider doing so. Buy ones that meet all the 3 requirements above. Display the bags prominently at your checkout. Reusable bag vendors include:
- If you plan to give out paper bags at checkout, make sure that they comply with the bylaw, i.e.: "100% recyclable and contains at least 40% post-consumer recycled content, and displays in a visible manner on the outside of the bag (1) the word “recyclable” or a symbol identifying the bag as recyclable and (2) a label identifying the bag as being made from post-consumer recycled content and the percentage of post-consumer recycled content in the bag."
- Manage your inventory of non-compliant bags so that you have none left when the bylaw goes into effect (this will save you money and you can switch over early if need be). - If you can, show your concern for the planet by transitioning to compliant bags ahead of the by-law adoption.
TIPS FOR PROMOTING REUSABLE BAGS
- Encourage your customers to use reusable bags and containers to transport their items home. Post signs at the checkout counter.
- Place prominent signs outside your store to remind customers to bring their reusable bags from the car. "Did you remember your reusable bags?" - At check out, ask customers if they need a bag, instead of automatically giving bags out. These steps will result lower costs for you and less storage space taken up with bags.