City of Boston considers ban on plastic bags and tax on other bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Boston City councilors held discussion Wednesday on the proposal to ban single-use plastic bags at retail outlets and charge for other types of bags. The ordinance was proposed by City Councillors Matt O'Malley and Michelle Wu. The proposal aims to reduce litter by limiting the use of plastic bags and encourage the use of other reusable bags. If passed, Boston would soon join other Massachusetts municipalities such as Cambridge and Somerville in banning plastic bags at retail checkout counters.

The proposed ordinance would ban single-use bags at retail checkouts. However, bags used for fish, meat, produce, newspapers and laundry services are exempted from the ban. The businesses are allowed to provide other types of bags by charging a fee of minimum five cents. According to the ordinance, any charge for checkout bag shall be separately stated on a receipt provided to the customer at the time of sale and shall be identified as checkout bag charge. The fees thus collected can be retained by retailers. Any reusable bag, recyclable paper bag or compostable plastic bag distributed by retailers has to be charged.

The rules are applicable to all retail businesses including grocery stores, restaurants and pharmacies. Businesses found violating the rule will initially receive warning from the Office of Environment, Energy and Open Space. The first violation that occurs after the issuance of the warning notice could result in fine of $50. The second and subsequent offences shall be fined $ 100 each. Payment of such fines may be enforced through civil action in the state District Court.

The plan is expected to be voted by the Council in the next few weeks. If approved, the ban would go into effect within a year. Businesses who require one year exception, should apply for the same for using the existing inventory of plastic bags. The retail establishments that are granted exception shall be liable to file monthly reports on inventory reduction and remaining stocks. Exemptions will be granted under special circumstances where a business proves that it has no other alternatives to plastic bags for its product.

The plan was initially discussed during summer, following which a survey was conducted among residents and businesses. Almost 50% of the survey participants had stated that they carry their own reusable bags while shopping. Also, majority of the respondents had extended support to the proposal to ban single-use plastic bags rather than introducing bag fees. Out of 17 businesses who participated in the survey, only five had expressed opposition to plastic bag ban or fee.

Meantime bag organizations have raised opposition to the proposed bag ban, saying that there isn't enough data to prove plastic bags are all that bad for the environment. According to them, plastic bags account for just 0.3% of the nation’s municipal solid waste and a little over 1% of the litter in the entire Northeast. American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA), in a statement, noted that imposing ban or fee on plastic retail bags is unlikely to create meaningful environmental benefits in Boston. On the other hand, it may lead to unintended negative consequences. ABPA further reminded that plastic bags are 100% recyclable and banning or charging them does not make any sense. The opponents of the ban stated that the 5-cent fee on alternate bags would hurt low-income families and senior citizens on fixed incomes.