[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Medfield 4-29-2019 ATM by Art. 21. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Plastic bag ordinances have proven to be effective in reducing plastic
bag consumption and litter and are part of a growing global movement
towards sustainability. As of January 1, 2019, 88 cities and towns
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted bylaws to reduce
plastic bag usage.
B.
The purpose of this bylaw is to eliminate the usage of thin-film,
single-use plastic bags at checkout by all merchants in the Town of
Medfield, on and after the effective date specified herein.
C.
The Town is committed to protecting the environment and the public
health, safety and welfare of its citizens. This will help reduce
the common use of plastic checkout bags and encourage the use of reusable
bags by consumers, thereby reducing local land and aquatic pollution,
advancing solid waste reduction, maintaining Medfield's exterior
beauty and improving the quality of life for the citizens of the Town.
A carryout bag provided by a store to a customer at the point
of sale or other point of departure for the purpose of transporting
food or merchandise from the establishment. Checkout bags shall not
include bags, whether plastic or not, in which loose produce or products
are placed by the consumer to deliver such items to the point of sale
or checkout area of the stores.
A paper bag that is:
Any retail operation located in the Town which sells goods,
food or provides personal services to the public, including restaurants.
A sewn bag with stitched handles that is:
B.
Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable or biodegradable
shopping bags to stores. Retail or grocery stores are strongly encouraged
to make reusable checkout bags available for sale to customers at
a reasonable price.
C.
Thin-film plastic bags used to contain dry cleaning, newspapers,
produce, meat, fresh produce, bulk foods, wet items and other similar
merchandise, typically without handles, are still permissible under
this bylaw.
This bylaw shall take effect on and after November 1, 2019.