[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Randolph as indicated in
article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-29-2019 by Ord. No. 2018-038[1]]
The production and use of thin-film single-use plastic check
out bags have significant impacts on the environment, including but
not limited to contributing to the death of marine animals through
ingestion, contributing to pollution of the land environment, creating
a burden to solid waste collection, clogging storm drainage systems,
being entangled in tree limbs, requiring millions of barrels of crude
oil to manufacture and costing the residents of the Town of Randolph
in cleanup and disposal costs.
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The purpose of this chapter is to eliminate the usage of thin-film
single-use plastic bags by all retail, grocery and convenience stores
in the Town of Randolph on or after January 1, 2021.
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As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following definitions:
A carryout bag provided by a store to a customer at the point
of sale. Checkout bags shall not include bags, whether plastic or
not, in which loose produce or products are placed by the consumer
to deliver such items to the point of sale or checkout area of the
store.
A retail establishment where more than fifty percent (50%)
of the gross floor area is devoted to the sale of food products for
home preparation and consumption, which typically also offers home
care and personal care products.
An establishment engaged in the sale and display of merchandise
within a building.
A bag, with handles, that is specifically designed for multiple
uses and that is made of thick plastic, cloth, fabric or other durable
materials.
Typically with plastic handles, these are bags with a thickness
of 2.5 millimeters or less and are intended for single-use transport
of purchased products.
A.
Thin-film single-use plastic bags shall not be distributed, used
or sold for checkout or other purposes at any retail, grocery or convenience
store within the Town of Randolph.
B.
Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable or biodegradable
shopping bags to the stores. Retail, grocery and convenience stores
are strongly encouraged to make reusable checkout bags available for
sale to customers at a reasonable price.
C.
Thin-film single-use plastic bags used to contain dry-cleaning, newspapers,
produce, meats, bulk foods, wet items and other similar merchandise,
typically without handles, are permissible.
Enforcement of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the
Town Manager or his/her designee.
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The Town Manager shall determine the selection process to be
followed, incorporating the process into other Town duties as appropriate.
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Any retail, grocery or convenience store distributing plastic
bags in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a non-criminal
disposition fine as indicated below which shall be incorporated into
the fine schedule.
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First (1st) Offense
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Warning
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Second (2nd) Offense
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$50.00
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Third (3rd) Offense
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$100.00
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Fourth (4th) and each subsequent
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$250.00
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Each bag being used shall constitute a separate offense.
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[Amended 12-21-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-064]
This chapter shall take effect on January 1, 2022.
