INFORMATION ON PLASTIC BAG BAN EFFECTIVE MARCH 2022

INFORMATION ON PLASTIC BAG BAN EFFECTIVE MARCH 2022

Dear Walpole Business Owners/Residents — On May 1st, 2021, the town of Walpole voted to ban the distribution of single-use plastic checkout bags. Large businesses with retail space greater than 3500 square feet have until March 1, 2022, to make a transition away from plastic checkout bags. Small businesses (retail space < 3500 square feet), have until September 1, 2022 to make the transition.

The ban only affects bags WITH HANDLES that are distributed at the point-of-sale that are made from plastic, and are less than 0.004 inches thick. Thin-film plastic bags without handles that are used for the temporary storage of newspapers, meat, bulk foods, produce, wet items, or pet waste, are still allowed under the bylaw.

Businesses may charge for bags they do distribute. Bags compliant under the by-law are:

Paper bags (100% recyclable, contains at least 40% post-consumer recycled material, labeled as such on the outside of the bag)

Reusable bags ( >0.004 inches thick, made of natural fibers or durable/non-toxic plastic, machine washable or made of a material that can be cleaned, can carry 25 pounds over a distance of 300 feet)

For more information go to https://www.walpole-ma.gov/board-of-health/pages/plastic-bag-ban-informa....

Thank you for helping Walpole become more environmentally friendly!