Watertown Plastic Bag Ordinance Starts Saturday

WATERTOWN, MA – Starting July 1, Watertown residents will only be able to use paper bags, degradable bags or reusable bags. Single-use plastic bags will be prohibited at all local shops. Residents may bring recyclable or reusable bags with them when making a purchase to carry goods.

Here's what you need to know about the "Bring Your Own Bag" ordinance, via the Town of Watertown.

WHAT ESTABLISHMENTS ARE COVERED BY THIS ORDINANCE?
Any commercial enterprise selling goods, articles, food, or personal services to the public, including,
but not limited to markets, restaurants, bars, take-out food purveyors, merchandise retailers, florists,
and galleries.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAG?
"Single-use plastic bag" is a bag made of plastic, including, but not limited to: bags made of highdensity
polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, "biodegradable," "compostable," or "oxobiodegradable"
materials, which are intended for the purpose of transporting food or merchandise out
of an establishment covered by this ordinance.

Single-use plastic bags shall not include: bags, whether plastic or not, in which loose or bulk candy,
produce, or products are placed by a consumer to deliver such items to the point of sale or check-out
area of an establishment; bags used to segregate food or merchandise that could damage or
contaminate other food or merchandise when placed together in a point-of-sale bag; laundry or drycleaner
bags; bags holding prescription medication dispensed from a pharmacy; and/or newspaper
bags.

WHAT BAGS ARE PERMITTED?
Covered establishments may provide or sell to customers’ recyclable paper bags or reusable bags.
Degradable plastic bags are ONLY permitted if they meet the ASTM or ISO standards. "Recyclable
paper bag" is a paper bag that is I 00% recyclable and contains at least 40% post-consumer recycled
content, and displays the words "Recyclable" and "made from 40% post-consumer recycled content" in
a visible manner on the outside of the bag. "Reusable bag" is a bag with handles that is designed and
manufactured for multiple use. Reusable plastic bags are allowed, if and only if the bag is a minimum
of 4 Mil, or more, thick and meets minimum ASTM or ISO standards.

ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS?
The Director may exempt an establishment from the requirements of the ordinance for a period of up
to six additional months, upon a finding that the requirements of the ordinance would cause undue
hardship to the establishment.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN RECYCLABLE/REUSABLE BAGS?
A list of vendors which sell recyclable and reusable bags can be found on the town’s website. Also, to
assist in the roll-out, the Town and ReThink Plastic will be distributing thousands of canvas shopping
bags knowing that it takes some time to replace the throwaway habit.

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