Westport Goes Green. Plastic Bags Banned from Most Retail Use.
On September 2, 2008, The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) passed an ordinance to ban the use of
plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods. Yesterday, that ordinance went into effect, making Westport the first town in Connecticut to institute a plastic bag ban.
The ordinance passed by a vote of 26 to 5, with one abstention. The six month delay in implementing the ban was put in place in order to allow time for establishments to use up their supplies of plastic bags and to prepare and educate Westport residents to the change.
The RTM is Westport's legislative body. Their stated purpose for the Retail Checkout Bags Ordinance is to encourage the use of reusable checkout bags. The new ruling applies to all retail establishments and restaurants. The ban does not apply to sales by residents, at their homes, such as tag sales or to sales by non-profit organizations. Arguably, the largest and most immediate effect of the ban is being felt at supermarkets.
There are some exclusions to the ban. Still allowed are the thin, plastic produce bags used to carry meats and produce to the checkout counter. Also, exempt are plastic bags with more than one opening, such as those used by the cleaners and plastic bags measuring 28" by 36", or larger.
Although "going green" and protecting the environment are currently popular issues, not everyone is quick to jump aboard the plastic bag ban. A plastic bag ordinance was proposed in the Connecticut State Legislature, but it never gained traction. A similar proposal, made to the city council in New Haven, CT, was rejected.
Some argue that while having consumers use recylable bags is a positive goal, the more likely result of the ban will just be the increased use of paper bags, which carries its own negative environmental issues.
Two years ago, San Francisco was the first United States city to ban the use of plastic bags. Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach, California have also passed plastic bag legislation.
Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties.com, All Rights Reserved, Westport, CT - Plastic Bag Ban Now in Effect
Marilyn - It will be interesting to see what transpires in Westport. I see a large number of people using the green Stop & Shop and Shop Rite bags in southeastern CT even without an ordinance. They just make a lot of sense (and even cents). The stores give you 5 cents for each bag used when you check out. It adds up.
Philip- So far, I've seen a lot of people getting their groceries in paper bags. It will be interesting to see if they switch to reusable bags, now that the ban has gone into effect.
I recently wrote to my State Representative about banning plastic bags throughout Pennsylvania...They're everywhere, in fields, hanging in trees along the Interstates....UGH!
Ernie- I was watching the checkout line at the local supermarket. Seemed that people with a few items had brought in reusable bags, while those with the largest orders were opting for paper bags. I guess it will take a while for consumers to purchase and remember to bring in their reusable bags. Time will tell.