[Adopted 4-30-2018 ATM
by Art. 25]
A.Â
The production
and use of thin-film, single-use plastic checkout bags have significant
impacts on the environment, including but not limited to: contributing
to the potential death of marine animals through ingestion and entanglement,
contributing to pollution of the land environment, creating a burden
to solid waste collection and recycling facilities (Cohasset does
not recycle plastic bags), clogging storm drainage systems, and requiring
the use of millions of barrels of crude oil nationally for their manufacture,
and plastic bags are not biodegradable so they gradually disintegrate
into minute particles which absorb toxins contaminating the food chain
including the food humans eat.
B.Â
The goal
of this bylaw is to reduce the common use of plastic checkout bags
and to encourage the use of reusable bags by consumers, thereby reducing
local land and marine pollution, advancing solid waste reduction,
protecting the Town's unique natural beauty and irreplaceable natural
resources, and improving the quality of life for the citizens of the
Town.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International
Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics.
A bag with or without handles provided by a store to a customer
at the point of sale that is intended for the purpose of transporting
food or merchandise out of the store.
A plastic bag that conforms to the current ASTM D6400 standard
specifications by a recognized verification entity.
A bag in which loose produce, bulk items, unwrapped baked goods
or prepared food, or other products are placed by the consumer to
deliver such items to the point of sale or checkout area of the store;
or
A bag that contains or wraps foods to retain moisture or to
segregate foods (like meat or ice cream) or other items to prevent
contamination or damage when the items are placed together in a recyclable
bag or reusable bag. Bags without handles used to cover clothing such
as a dry-cleaning bag are not included in this definition.
A paper bag that is 100% recyclable and contains at least
40% post-consumer recycled content, and displays in a visible manner
on the outside of the bag:
A bag that is either:
A plastic checkout bag that is less than four mils thick
and is not a compostable plastic bag.
Any commercial enterprise selling goods, food or services
directly to the public, whether for or not for profit, including,
but not limited to, convenience and grocery stores, markets, restaurants,
pharmacies, liquor stores, take-out food purveyors, and merchandise
retailers.
A.Â
No store
in the Town shall provide to any customer a single-use plastic checkout
bag. Existing stock should be phased out within six months of November
1, 2018, and any remaining stock should be disposed of properly.
B.Â
If a store
provides checkout bags to customers, it may only provide reusable
bags, recyclable paper bags or compostable plastic bags.
C.Â
If a store
provides product bags to customers, the bag shall comply with the
requirements of being either a reusable bag, recyclable paper bag
or compostable bag.
A.Â
This bylaw
may be enforced by any Town police officer or agent of the Board of
Public Health or other individuals appointed by the Town Manager.
[Amended 5-24-2021 ATM by Art. 28]
B.Â
A person,
individually or by his servant or agent, who violates any provision
of this bylaw may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition pursuant
to MGL c. 40, § 21D, and the Town's noncriminal disposition
bylaw. The following penalties apply:
C.Â
Each day
the violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
This bylaw takes effect on November 1, 2018.
