Stoneham Plastic Bag Ban: What To Know

STONEHAM, MA — The ban on single-use plastic bags in Stoneham is set to take effect May 1, 2020, according to the town. According to state law, the regulation must go into effect six months after the last day of the month of its passage. The ban was approved at Town Meeting in October, so it must take effect after the end of April.

Under the ban, retailers must provide recyclable paper bags or reusable bags to customers at checkout. The following are exempt from the ban:

Bags used by customers to:

Package bulk items, such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy or small
hardware items; contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish; or contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or other items where dampness may be a problem.

Laundry or dry-cleaning bags or bags sold in packages containing multiple bags
intended to be used for home food storage, garbage, waste, pet waste or yard
waste.

A small business (fewer than 50 full-time employees) may ask for an extension past the effective date upon written request to the Town Administrator. Exemptions may apply to businesses facing an "undue hardship," such as:

- Circumstances or situations unique to the small business such that there are no alternatives to single use plastic bags present in their retail establishment by the effective date. There must be a plan as to obtain reusable bags or paper bags by the end of the extension filed to the Town Administrator’s office; or

- Circumstances where a small business requires additional time in order to reduce an existing inventory of single use plastic bags. Any small business in receipt of an extension shall file inventory reduction plans to consume the remaining stock of single use plastic bags with the Town Administrator’s office.

- No Single-Use Plastic Bags may be purchased during the time of this extension.

The Town Administrator will send a written notice detailing the requirements imposed by this
regulation to retailers at least 90 days prior to it taking effect.

Enforcement
a) Enforcement of this bylaw shall be the responsibility of the Town Administrator or
his/her appointed designee.

b) Any Retail Establishment found to be in violation of this section shall be subject to a noncriminal disposition fine by the Town Administrator.

c) Not more than one fine may be assessed within a fifteen (15) day period.

First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: $50
Subsequent Offense: $100