Notice Regarding Reusable Bag And Plastic Bag Use In Grocery And Retail Stores In Shrewsbury

Press release from the Town of Shrewsbury:

August 31, 2020

REMINDER: Effective September 1, 2020, the Town of Shrewsbury’s plastic bag reduction bylaw will be enforced.

Plastic Bags:

Effective July 1, 2017, The Town of Shrewsbury adopted a Plastic Bag Reduction by-law.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Charlie Baker had temporarily "lifted" the ban as part of the Orders mentioned below.

As of July 10, 2020, the Governor rescinded the order and municipalities that had a previous plastic ban in place, may now enforce it again.

Effective September 1, 2020, the Town of Shrewsbury’s plastic bag reduction bylaw will be enforced. Grocery and retail stores may continue to use plastic bags until August 31, 2020.

RESCISSION OF ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - Effective July 10, 2020

Effective July 10, 2020, Commissioner, Monica Bharel, MD, MPH rescinded Orders dated March 25, 2020 and April 7, 2020 in which the use of reusable bags in grocery and retail establishments were prohibited as a safety protocol relating to COVID-19 concerns.

Patrons may now use their reusable bags in both grocery stores and retail settings.

References of Previous Orders*:

• GUIDANCE FOR GROCERY STORES AND LOCAL BOARDS OF HEALTH ON THE MARCH 25, 2020 ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER REGARDING GROCERY STORES - April 7, 2020
• PHARMACY - GROCERY ORDER - March 25, 2020

*These Orders had previously prohibited stores from charging for paper and plastic bags.

Plastic Bag Ban Reduction By-law flier

This press release was produced by the Town of Shrewsbury. The views expressed here are the author’s own.