Ban on Retail Plastic Bags Proposed

“Paper or plastic?” would no longer be an option for carry-out bags in New Britain retailers under a proposal being considered by the City Council.

The Council is considering a proposed ordinance (local law) that would ban stores, restaurants and other retailers from providing plastic carry out bags and require that they charge for paper bags.

The proposal would end the practice of placing goods sold in plastic bags for customers to carry from, “any grocery store, grocery delivery service, department store, clothing store, hardware store, hospital, pharmacy, liquor store, restaurant, delicatessen, convenience store, food truck, sidewalk vendor, farmers’ market, flea market, and any other retail store or vendor.”

Paper bags would still be permitted, but only under certain conditions.

Paper carry out bags would have to be made of recycled paper and be recyclable, themselves. They would also have to have the words, “Reusable” and “Recyclable” printed on them.

Retail establishments would also the required to charge for the paper bags used to carry goods at retail. The ordinance would require retailers to charge ten cents per paper bag.

There would be exceptions to the ban on plastic bags and extra requirements for paper bags, such as bags used to package bulk items, frozen foods, meat, fish, flowers or “unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods.”

The ordinance is designed in a way as to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags and containers into retail establishments to use for carrying their purchases.

If retail establishments violate the ordinance, the would be subject to a warning for a first offense, a $99 fine for a second offense and a $250 fine for any further violations.

The proposal was introduced by the Council’s Majority Leader, Ald. Carlo Carlozzi, Jr. (D-5), Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), Eva Magnuszewski (D-AL), the Council’s President, and Ald. Richard Reyes (D-AL).

The ordinance proposal was referred by the Council to its Administration, Finance and Law Committee during the Council meeting on January 23, 2019. In the Committee, it will be opened for a public hearing and further consideration.