This chapter is enacted pursuant to the Town's Home Rule Authority under the Constitution of the State of Maine, Article VIII, Part
2, Section 1, and the provisions of 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3001 et seq.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
FOAM TAKE-OUT CONTAINER
A blown, expanded or extruded polystyrene container provided
at the table, check stand, cash register, point of sale, or other
point of departure for purposes of transporting food and beverage
merchandise out of the store. This includes all containers received
at drive-throughs, including cups, bowls, plates, and containers used
for store-made packaged food. This does not include products prepackaged
in polystyrene foam food or beverage containers packaged outside the
Town of Bethel.
PRODUCE OR PRODUCT BAG
Any bag without handles used exclusively to carry produce,
meats, or other food items or merchandise to the point of sale inside
a store or to prevent such items from coming in direct contact with
other items.
REUSABLE BAG
A bag that meets all of the following criteria:
A.
Designed and manufactured to withstand 125 repeated uses over
a period of time;
B.
Is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned
and disinfected regularly;
C.
Is at least four mils thick, if made from plastic; and
D.
Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds.
SINGLE-USE CARRY-OUT PLASTIC BAG
A plastic bag provided at the check stand, cash register,
point of sale, or other point of departure for purposes of transporting
food and merchandise out of the store. This does not include reusable
bags as defined above, compostable bags, biodegradable bags, reused
plastic bags, or produce or product bags as defined above.
STORE
All retail establishments in the Town of Bethel, including
but not limited to convenience stores, restaurants, grocery stores,
pharmacies, seasonal and temporary businesses, sellers of merchandise
and dry goods sold to the ultimate consumer for direct use or consumption
and not for resale. It does not include farm stands.
Each provision of this chapter shall be deemed independent of
all other provisions herein. If any provision of this chapter be declared
invalid, all other provisions thereof shall remain valid and enforceable.
This chapter becomes effective immediately upon approval by
Town vote.