Maya Ellison
Plastic bags are a major source of pollution, with plastic pollution affecting marine life and the environment at large. In Massachusetts, residents are estimated to use more than 2 billion bags per year, contributing to pervasive litter. To combat this, many cities and towns in Massachusetts have implemented bans on single-use plastic bags, and in 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill for a statewide ban. As of May 2023, 162 cities and towns in the state have regulations in place, representing about 70% of the state's population. However, the statewide ban has not yet become law, and Massachusetts continues to have a confusing mix of rules and ordinances regulating single-use plastic bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags banned in Massachusetts cities and towns | 162 out of 351 (as of May 2023) |
| Plastic bags banned in Massachusetts Statewide | No, but a bill was passed by the State Senate in 2019 and 2021 |
| Plastic bags banned in Boston | Yes, since 2018 |
| Plastic bags banned in Cambridge | Yes, since 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
Boston's 2018 plastic bag ban
In 2017, the Boston City Council approved a ban on single-use plastic bags. The ban took effect in December 2018 for stores that are 20,000 square feet or larger. By the following summer, all stores in the city were required to comply with the rules. The ordinance prohibits retailers from offering plastic carryout bags with handles, often referred to as "checkout bags".
Retailers can still offer three types of bags: recyclable paper bags, compostable plastic bags, or reusable bags. However, they must charge a minimum of 5 cents for each bag. This fee is retained by the retailer to recoup the costs of providing these alternative bags. The city of Boston encourages shoppers to bring their own reusable bags when they go shopping.
The plastic bag ban in Boston is part of a larger movement to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. As of May 2023, 162 cities and towns in Massachusetts, representing almost 5 million people or 70% of the state's population, have implemented regulations on single-use plastic bags. In December 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill for a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags from retail stores, which is set to come into effect in the future.
While some people in Boston support the plastic bag ban, others have criticised the mandatory 5-cent fee for alternative bags. Some commenters have argued that the fee seems like a money grab and that stores should be allowed to choose whether to implement a fee rather than it being mandated. Additionally, some people believe that the ban will not significantly reduce plastic pollution, as large ships are the key source of plastic dumping in the ocean.
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Massachusetts State Senate's 2019 bill
On December 2, 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill, S.2410, with a 36-4 vote, to implement a statewide ban on all single-use carry-out plastic bags at checkout from retail stores. The bill was sponsored by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, who had been pushing for a plastic bag ban since he first arrived in the Senate in 2009. The bill aimed to reduce plastic bag pollution and encourage the use of reusable bags.
The bill, S.2410, required retailers to charge at least 10 cents for a recycled paper bag at checkout, with five cents of the amount collected from the sale of each paper bag going back to the city or town for enforcement of the ban and other municipal recycling efforts. Retailers could keep the remainder of the fee to cover the costs of providing paper bags. The bill also allowed for plastic bags to be used for specific products, such as produce, poultry, or other items that require freshness or leak protection.
To address cost concerns, the bill provided additional time for small retail shops to comply with the fee requirement. It also allowed individuals using an EBT card to acquire a recycled carry-out paper bag without any fee. The bill aimed to provide consistency for retailers across the state by pre-empting existing plastic bag bans already implemented in various cities and towns.
Massachusetts residents were estimated to use more than 2 billion plastic bags per year, leading to pervasive litter and environmental concerns. Plastic bags contribute to microplastic pollution, endangering marine animals and wildlife. The statewide ban on plastic bags was a crucial step towards reducing plastic waste, protecting the environment, and achieving the state's climate goals.
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Plastic bag pollution
The lightweight and durable nature of plastic bags, while convenient, has detrimental environmental consequences. Plastic bags are pervasive litter due to their lightweight nature, and they do not biodegrade, persisting in the environment indefinitely. They often end up as ocean pollution, clogging storm drains and damaging infrastructure on their way to becoming marine debris. Marine animals, such as turtles, mistake plastic bags for food, leading to suffocation or starvation. As plastic bags break down into microplastics, they are ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from oysters to whales, causing further harm.
To address plastic bag pollution, Massachusetts has taken legislative action. As of May 2023, 162 cities and towns in the state, representing almost 70% of its population, have regulated single-use plastic shopping bags. Additionally, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill in December 2021 to implement a statewide ban on carry-out plastic bags at checkout from retail stores. This bill, known as S.2410, encourages the use of reusable bags and promotes consistency for retailers across the state.
The statewide ban on plastic bags in Massachusetts is a significant step toward reducing plastic pollution. It incentivizes the use of reusable bags, with retailers required to charge at least 10 cents for a recycled paper bag, and it directs a portion of the fee back to municipalities for enforcing the ban and supporting recycling initiatives. This legislation aligns with global efforts to address plastic pollution, as 127 countries have adopted legislation to regulate plastic bags as of July 2018.
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Alternatives to plastic bags
Plastic bags are lightweight, aerodynamic, inexpensive, and waterproof, which makes them extremely convenient. However, they are also single-use items that can be easily replaced with readily available alternatives.
In Massachusetts, residents are estimated to use more than 2 billion plastic bags per year, which is about a bag per person per day. The overuse of plastic bags has led to their pervasive littering. As plastic does not biodegrade, it lasts forever in the environment, causing major problems for wildlife and marine life. To tackle this issue, Massachusetts has implemented a statewide ban on all carry-out plastic bags at checkout from retail stores. This has encouraged the use of reusable bags and recycled paper bags.
- Paper bags: Paper bags are a classic alternative to plastic bags. They are recyclable and can be reused for various purposes, such as storing dry paper, aluminium, and glass waste. However, paper bags may not be suitable for certain products that require enhanced packaging, such as fresh produce, poultry, or frozen items.
- Reusable bags: Bringing your own reusable bags when shopping is a great way to reduce plastic bag usage. These bags can be made from sustainable materials such as cotton or organic cotton and can be used multiple times, making them a more durable and environmentally friendly option.
- Biodegradable bags: Biodegradable trash liners are an excellent alternative to plastic garbage bags. These bags are chemical-free and decompose within 3 to 6 months of use. They can be used in the same way as plastic trash liners and are perfect for pet waste, as they are certified biodegradable, compostable, and odor-blocking.
- Stasher bags: Stasher bags are reusable baggies that come in different sizes. They can be used for storing anything from nuts and dried fruit to soups and smoothies. By using Stasher bags, you can keep single-use baggies out of landfills and make a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice.
- Cotton mesh produce bags: These bags are versatile, washable, and sturdy alternatives to plastic grocery bags. They are perfect for shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables and can be easily reused, making them a more sustainable option.
- Tupperware: For storing food items that require an airtight seal, Tupperware containers are a good alternative to plastic bags. They are reusable and can help keep your food fresh for longer.
By choosing these alternatives, individuals and businesses can play a crucial role in reducing plastic waste, protecting the environment, and supporting sustainable practices.
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Plastic bag bans in other states
As of May 2023, 162 cities and towns in Massachusetts, representing almost 5 million people or 70% of the state's population, have banned single-use plastic bags. However, there is no statewide ban on plastic bags in Massachusetts.
California
California banned plastic bags in 2016 but still allows thick, recyclable plastic bags for a 10-cent fee. The state's plastic bag ban, along with similar bans in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Vermont, has reduced the number of single-use plastic bags used each year by around 6 billion.
Hawaii
Hawaii does not have a statewide ban on plastic bags, but all of its local jurisdictions do, effectively banning them across the state.
Texas
In 2018, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a bag ban implemented by Laredo, Texas, was illegal and unenforceable. As a result, 11 other Texas cities had to end enforcement of their bag bans.
Minnesota
Minnesota has a preemption on local laws that ban plastic bags but allows for fees to be imposed on them.
Florida, Arizona, and Missouri
These states have passed laws preventing local municipalities from passing their own bans on plastic bags.
Overall, studies have shown that plastic bag bans in the US have reduced single-use plastic bag use by billions, with some cities seeing a 70-90% decrease. More than 500 municipalities in 28 states had plastic bag legislation in effect as of 2021, and at least 12 states have implemented single-use plastic bag bans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of May 2023, 162 cities and towns in Massachusetts, representing about 70% of the state's population, have banned plastic bags.
Retailers in Massachusetts can provide customers with reusable bags, recyclable paper bags, or compostable bags with handles.
Retailers in Massachusetts must sell any bag with handles for at least 5 cents per bag. In Boston, for example, retailers must charge at least $0.05 per recyclable paper bag, compostable bag, or reusable bag. In Cambridge, single-use paper bags are available for a fee of $0.10.
