New Canaan's New Plastic Bag Ban Goes Into Effect This Month

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan's ban on single-use retail plastic bags goes into effect on Aug. 27, according to town officials.

"Under the ordinance, no retail establishment may sell, provide or distribute carryout bags made of plastic or kraft paper other than reusable carryout bags made of cloth, fiber or durable plastic," officials wrote on the town's website. "Exceptions under the ordinance include bags for bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy or hardware items; bags containing frozen food, meat or fish; newspaper and laundry/dry cleaning bags; or bags sold in packages (e.g., garbage bags)."

The move to ban single-use bags is designed to help the environment, and shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags for carrying purchased items.

Retail businesses of 10,000 square feet or more in New Canaan can charge customers $0.10 per recycled paper bag at the point of purchase, which is in line with the state's new law that went into effect on Aug. 1.