Gas Disasters Delay Andover Plastic Bag Ban

ANDOVER, MA -- Officials may not begin enforcing Andover's plastic bag ban until March 1, thanks to the Merrimack Valley gas explosions. Andover officials say the explosions and the months-long recovery delayed efforts to perform outreach and education to businesses and residents.

Town meeting approved the ban in May, and it was set to take effect on Jan. 1. Once it takes effect, the ban will prohibit Andover businesses from distributing non-reusuable, plastic bags for non-perishable goods. More than 80 Massachusetts communities have passed similar bans in recent years.

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).