A new Connecticut law to reduce single-use plastic bags in the state goes into effect on August 1.
Beginning on Thursday, Connecticut shoppers will be charged a 10¢ fee for every single-use plastic bag until they are phased out altogether in the summer of 2021.
The provisions of Public Act 19-117, § 355 are effective August 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021, after which date, single-use plastic checkout bags are scheduled to be banned.
The idea is to cut down on one of the main contributors to marine pollution.
Per the law, stores must indicate the number of single-use plastic checkout bags provided, and the total amount of the fee charged on any transaction receipt provided to a customer.
“Single-use checkout bag” does not include: (A) a paper bag; (B) a reusable plastic bag (four mils or thicker); (C) a bag provided prior to checkout that is used only to contain meat, seafood, loose produce or other unwrapped food items; (D) a newspaper bag; or (E) a laundry or dry cleaning bag.”
Greenwich enacted a plastic bag ban over a year ago did not include a fee for the paper bags that are now distributed. That ordinance remains unaltered.
However, for businesses who received temporary or permanent waivers of the Greenwich ordinance, they will need to charge for their plastic bags starting August 1, 2019.
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