[HISTORY: Adopted by the Annual Town Meeting of the Town
of Groton 10-21-2019 by Art. 12. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The production and use of thin-film, single-use plastic checkout
bags have significant impacts on the environment, including but not
limited to: contributing to the potential death of marine animals
through ingestion and entanglement, contributing to pollution of the
land environment, creating a burden to solid waste collection and
recycling facilities, clogging storm drainage systems. Single-use
plastic bags require the use of millions of barrels of crude oil nationally
for their manufacture and are not biodegradable. They gradually disintegrate
into minute particles which absorb toxins contaminating the food chain,
including the food humans eat.
B.
The goal of this bylaw is to reduce the common use of plastic checkout
bags and to encourage the use of reusable bags by consumers, thereby
reducing local land and marine pollution, advancing solid waste reduction,
protecting the Town's unique natural beauty and irreplaceable natural
resources, and improving the quality of life for the citizens of the
Town.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International
Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics.
A bag with or without handles provided by a store to a customer
at the point of sale that is intended for the purpose of transporting
food or merchandise out of the store.
A plastic bag that conforms to the current ASTM D6400 standard
specifications by a recognized verification entity.
A bag in which loose produce, bulk items, unwrapped baked goods
or prepared food, or other products are placed by the consumer to
deliver such items to the point of sale or checkout area of the store;
or
A bag that contains or wraps foods to retain moisture or to
segregate foods (like meat or ice cream) or other items to prevent
contamination or damage when the items are placed together in a recyclable
bag or reusable bag. Bags without handles used to cover clothing such
as a dry-cleaning bags are not included in this definition.
A paper bag that is 100% recyclable and contains at least
40% post-consumer recycled content, and displays in a visible manner
on the outside of the bag:
A bag that is either:
A plastic checkout bag that is less than four mils thick
and is not a compostable plastic bag.
Any commercial enterprise selling goods, food or services
directly to the public, whether for or not for profit, including,
but not limited to, convenience and grocery stores, markets, restaurants,
pharmacies, liquor stores, take-out food purveyors, and merchandise
retailers.
A.
No store in the Town shall provide to any customer a single-use plastic
checkout bag. Existing stock should be phased out within six months
of July 1, 2020, and any remaining stock should be disposed of properly.
B.
If a store provides checkout bags to customers, it may only provide
reusable bags, recyclable paper bags or compostable plastic bags.
C.
If a store provides product bags to customers, the bag shall comply
with the requirements of being either a reusable bag, recyclable paper
bag or compostable bag.
A.
This bylaw may be enforced by any Town police officer or agent of
the Board of Health or other individuals appointed by the Town Manager.
B.
A person, individually or by his servant or agent, who violates any
provision of this bylaw may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition
pursuant to MGL C. 40, § 21D, and the Town's noncriminal
disposition bylaw. The following penalties apply:
C.
Each day the violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
This bylaw takes effect on July 1, 2020.