As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAG
A bag that is capable of undergoing biological decomposition
in a compost site such that the material breaks down into carbon dioxide,
water, inorganic compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with known
compostable materials; for the purposes of this article, "biodegradable
bags" does not include paper bags.
CUSTOMER
Any person purchasing or carrying goods from a retail establishment.
DEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAG
Plastic bags that are made from polymers that are capable
of being broken down quite readily by hydrolysis, the process by which
chemical bonds are broken by the addition of water.
RECYCLABLE PAPER BAG
A paper bag that is one-hundred-percent recyclable and contains
at least 40% post-consumer recycled content, and displays the words
"Recyclable" and "made from 40% post-consumer recyclable content"
in a visible manner on the outside of the bag.
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT
Any business or commercial enterprise or facility, whether
for profit or not, that sells goods and/or services directly to the
customer, including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies,
liquor stores, convenience stores, restaurants, retail stores, pop-up
retail stores, and vendors selling clothing, food, and personal items,
and dry-cleaning services.
REUSABLE BAG
A bag that is specifically designed and manufactured for
multiple reuse and is either polyester, polypropylene, cotton or other
durable material, or durable plastic that is greater than 4.0 mils
in thickness.
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CHECKOUT BAG
A carryout bag or checkout bag made predominantly of plastic
derived from either petroleum, natural gas, or a biologically based
source, such as corn or other plant sources, which is provided to
a customer at the point of sale and which is 4.0 mils (0.1016 mm)
in thickness or less.
A.
The term "single-use plastic checkout bag" shall not include:
(1)
Bags, whether plastic or not, in which loose produce or products
are placed by a consumer to deliver such items to the point of sale
or checkout area of a retail establishment;
(2)
Laundry or dry-cleaner bags;
(4)
Bags used to contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish, whether
prepackaged or not, to prevent or contain moisture;
B.
The term "single-use plastic checkout bag" shall include:
(1)
Degradable plastic bags; and
(2)
Biodegradable plastic bags that are not commercially compostable
as well as commercially compostable plastic bags.