Arlington to Impose Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Effective March 1st

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Starting March this year, retail establishments in Arlington will be prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. The Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw which comes into effect from next month beginning aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic shopping bags. Thus Arlington will join more than around 60 Massachusetts communities to take action against sale of plastic bags at retail checkout counters.

The Bylaw, which was approved last spring, will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, larger establishments, having a square feet area equivalent or bigger to 10,000 will not be allowed to provide disposable plastic bags to their customers. The small retailers, occupying less than 10,000 square feet will have additional four months time to comply with the law. The second phase, due to take effect on July 1, 2018 will cover them as well.

In place of plastic bags, the retail establishments are allowed to provide paper bags to customers at no additional cost. However, the shoppers are urged to bring reusable bags for shopping. Meantime, certain categories of plastic bags such as those used for laundry, dry cleaning, newspapers, loose produce, self-service used for bulk items or others used to contain or wrap frozen goods, meat or fish are exempted from the ban.

ALSO READ: Massachusetts Committee OKs Plastic Bag Ban Bill

A news release issued by Public Health Director Natasha Waden noted that Arlington is pleased to join neighboring communities in the effort to protect environment. Admitting that residents may find it difficult to cope with the transition, Waden noted that the move would help to raise awareness about reducing waste and promoting recycling. The purpose of the Bylaw is to lessen Arlington’s carbon footprint by reducing waste and littering and protecting its precious marine life and waterways, Waden added.

The retail establishments which are found to have violated the regulation shall be issued a warning notice by the Arlington Department of Health and Human Services for the first time violation. If the retail establishment is found to violate the law after 14 days from receipt of the warning notice, a notice of violation will be issued and penalty shall be imposed. A penalty of $50 will be charged for the first offense, $100 for the second offence and $150 for third and all subsequent offences. Retail establishments will have 15 calendar days to pay the penalty or request a hearing in writing.