Stamford Plastic Bag Ban Goes Into Effect Next Week

STAMFORD, CT — The City of Stamford's plastic bag ordinance will go into effect Friday, May 3, according to the city's website. As a result, city businesses will no longer be allowed to distribute disposable carryout bags.

The Board of Representatives recently passed an ordinance eliminating the distribution of disposable carryout bags in the city, the goal of which is to improve the environment within Stamford by prohibiting the use of these bags and implementing a 10 cent charge for recyclable carryout paper bags.

The ordinance defines disposable carryout bags as "a bag of any material, commonly plastic or kraft paper, which is provided to a consumer at the point of sale to carry purchases out of the store."

The term does not include bags used by consumers inside stores to package items such as fruits or vegetables or to wrap items such as meat, frozen foods or flowers.

Anyone who qualifies for government food assistance programs, such as SNAP, are exempt from charges related to disposable carry out bags.

Westport, Greenwich, Norwalk and New Canaan are among area communities to enact similar bans. The idea was also recently under consideration in Darien.

More information on the ordinance can be found here.