Norwalk Council To Vote On Possible Plastic Bag Ban

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Common Council will vote Tuesday night on a possible ban of carryout plastic bags at stores throughout the city. The proposed ban had gone before the council's Ordinance Committee a few times before it was passed by the committee in December, according to Common Council President Tom Livingston.

“It bans plastic carryout bags and provides for a 10 cents charge on paper bags," Livingston said, adding that the proposed ban puts emphasis on getting customers to bring reusable bags to stores. (To sign up for Norwalk breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The ban was proposed by Livingston, 61, who drew some inspiration from the fact that surrounding communities such as Westport, Greenwich and Stamford have passed similar ordinances.

“There’s a real problem with plastic waste, and this is a way of addressing a part of it," Livingston said. "This is a start, and studies have shown that this type of ordnance works. It cuts down on the number of plastic bags, and particularly in a seaside community like us where we’re right next to the Sound, I think we can make a difference with this.”

Livingston emphasized this would not be a total ban on all plastic bags, just carryout bags from retailers in the city. He also said a number of people are mistakenly viewing the 10 cents charge on paper bags as a tax.

“It’s not a tax. It’s a charge that is imposed to help the retail establishments cover the costs of the paper as well as to, quite frankly, promote the use of the reusable bags," Livingston said. "Studies have shown that is the most effective way for these bag bans to work; to ban plastic and then put a charge on paper.”

Should the ordinance pass on Tuesday, there will still be some exceptions to it.

“We have a provision in there to provide an exemption to our people on food stamps or food assistance programs," Livingston said. "We’re very cognizant of issues that might be unique to lower income families. We also will be distributing reusable bags at various locations across the city if this is approved...we’re going to work to get [reusable bags] where there is a need."

When asked about the proposed ban as he exited Cranbury Market in Norwalk, resident Paul Frank, 60, said he thought it was "a good idea for the environment." He also said he used plastic bags for garbage at his home, but could find an alternative.

"With any ordinance, people are going to find drawbacks. It could change the way that some people will go into a store; now you need to bring in your reusable bag, and that could require a change of thought process for people," Livingston said. "Yeah, there’s an inconvenience factor at first, but I don’t think it will take long for people to remember [their bag], and quite frankly this is done all over the world. This is not something that will be unique to Norwalk or even our neighboring communities.”

Photo credit: RJ Scofield