Westporters may not have noticed, because over a decade ago we were the first town east of the Mississippi River to ban plastic bags.
But a state law that went into effect August 1 mandates a charge of 10 cents for every single-use plastic bag.
In 2021, they’ll be outlawed completely.
There is no state-mandated charge for paper bags — which, by some estimates, cost up to 10 times more than plastic bags. Paper bags have their own environmental impacts too.
So although we haven’t noticed the plastic bag charge here, we’re seeing its ripple effects.
Many stores — including CVS and Fresh Market — have switched to paper bags without handles. They’re inconvenient, and perhaps a subliminal way to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.
An “06880” reader reports that Walgreens is charging 10 cents for each paper bag.
Meanwhile — reading between the lines of this sign — it looks like Stop & Shop will start charging for paper bags next month.
