Boston has officially banned plastic bags

Boston has recently rolled out its new ban on plastic “checkout” bags. Customers at large and midsize grocery stores will no longer be given them at checkout, and residents will instead need to bring reusable bags or have them bagged in paper, which will cost a mandatory minimum fee of five cents per bag if purchased from the retailer. The ban also applies to plastic bags used to package carry-out orders at restaurants.

The plastic bag ban was signed by Mayor Marty Walsh late last year.

“We know that single-use plastic bags have an impact on the environment,” the city says on its website. “Our goal is to reduce litter and pollution. We want to protect the ocean our waterways. We aim to also reduce greenhouse gasses and reduce solid waste in the waste stream.”

The ban will roll out in segments in the upcoming months. Retail establishments 20,000 square feet and larger were subject to inspection starting Dec. 14. Retail establishments 10,000 square feet and larger will be subject to inspection April 1, 2019, while establishments smaller than that will have inspections starting July 1, 2019. After that, retailers can only keep in stock recyclable paper bags, compostable bags and reusable bags.

The ordinance only applies to “checkout bags,” which are carryout bags with handles. The ordinance doesn’t include newspaper bags, laundry and dry-cleaner bags, trash can liners and bags used to wrap produce, frozen food, meat or fish.