North Andover Sustainability Committee Proposes Plastic Bag Ban

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Two members of the North Andover sustainability committee presented research on a plastic bag ban, at Monday's Select Board meeting. Selectmen said they supported the idea but asked for additional details on the alternatives. The committee members, Julia Ross and Adrienne Goldman, recommended a ban on plastic bags, with handles, under three millimeters thick, from all types of establishment. They offered an alternative of only banning single use bags.

Ross and Goldman explained that 57 percent of the state population lives in towns and cities with single-use plastic bag bans. Among the reasons to ban bags, they explained, is that they are made with fossil fuels, are not cost-effective to recycle, and are non-biodegradable.

Select Board Chair Richard Vaillancourt said that he supported a ban but it would have to go through town meeting.

Select Board Member Rosemary Smedile said she was open-minded but not convinced a plastic bag ban was the best idea. She raised concerns about paper bags, including that they are heavier and less user-friendly than plastic bags.

"We don't want to give our residents another reason to shop in New Hampshire," Smedile said. "I want to make sure we're dealing with real numbers, real facts."

Bags used to contain or prevent moisture, such as produce bags and dry-cleaning bags, would not be banned, under the committee's recommendation. The committee also said they would look to get a grant to purchase reusable bags to distribute at the senior center.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.