Boston City Council introduces plastic bag ban

Boston City Council introduces plastic bag ban
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Nov. 30, 2016, Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley and Council President introduced an ordinance that would eliminate single-use plastic bags and charge a 5-cent fee per reusable, recyclable or compostable bag, according to an article in the online publication Metro, available at www.metro.us/boston/boston-plastic-bag-ban-bill-moves-forward/zsJpkD—UWgLDWb6aU0Sc. The proposed bill encourages but does not require businesses to refund customers 5 cents per reusable bag that they provide.

Currently, more than 40 Massachusetts cities and towns have established or are considering some form of plastic bag legislation.

O’Malley told Metro that 20 tons of plastic bags are removed from residential recycling, citing the city’s recycling provider, Casella, as the source of this figure. “It takes hours upon hours of folks removing [the bags] from the [recycling] equipment,” according to O’Malley. “So I would argue that not having an ordinance in place is not financially responsible to taxpayers’ money.”

If put into effect, the ordinance would allow for the use of plastic bags that are 3 millimeters or thicker or compostable.

O’Malley told Metro, “I think we were able to really put together a robust and effective bill that not only will address the environmental impact single-use plastic bags have but also provide consumers with that option while encouraging them to use a reusable bag.”

Bill Rennie, vice president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts takes issues with the 5 cent feel for reusable, recyclable or compostable bags, however, telling Metro, “The idea of charging a customer 5 cents for a bag that today you’re giving them for free is a concern for a lot of our members. Our customers will certainly view that as a tax and it may not be well received.”

If passed, businesses in violation of the law would have to pay a $50 fine for the first offense, and a $100 fine for subsequent offenses.

According to Metro, the bill could get another public airing prior to a committee hearing and possible vote. The full council would then have to approve the ordinance.

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Source: Recycling Today
Boston City Council introduces plastic bag ban
<![CDATA[Nov. 30, 2016, Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley and Council President introduced an ordinance that would eliminate single-use plastic bags and charge a 5-cent fee per reusable, recyclable or compostable bag, according to an article in the online publication Metro, available at www.metro.us/boston/boston-plastic-bag-ban-bill-moves-forward/zsJpkD—UWgLDWb6aU0Sc. The proposed bill encourages but does not require businesses to refund customers 5 cents per reusable bag that they provide. Currently, more than 40 Massachusetts cities and towns have established or are considering some form of plastic bag legislation. O’Malley told Metro that 20 tons of plastic bags are removed from residential recycling, citing the city’s recycling provider, Casella, as the source of this figure. “It takes hours upon hours of folks removing [the bags] from the [recycling] equipment,” according to O’Malley. “So I would argue that not having an ordinance in place is not financially responsible to taxpayers’ money.” If put into effect, the ordinance would allow for the use of plastic bags that are 3 millimeters or thicker or compostable. O’Malley told Metro, “I think we were able to really put together a robust and effective bill that not only will address the environmental impact single-use plastic bags have but also provide consumers with that…