Plastic Bag Ban Now In Effect In Barnstable

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Barnstable Town Hall.

BARNSTABLE – Beginning today, thin-film plastic bags will no longer be allowed for use by retailers in the Town of Barnstable.

Barnstable joins several other Cape town who have already banned such bags.

“It primarily helps the environment, that’s the main goal is to prevent these bags from floating around out there in the oceans and on the streets,” Barnstable Regulatory Services Director Richard Scali said.

The bags in question have a thickness of 3 mils or less, and are being banned due to the fact they are produced from non-renewable sources, and are difficult to recycle.

Since March a committee in the town has been reaching out to businesses in the town to provide information and help retailers understand the ordinance.

However given the fact that Barnstable is such a large retail area, the town allowed businesses to apply for an extension if they were unable to comply with the regulation by the deadline.

When the ban takes effect, businesses are encouraged to offer re-usable or paper bags, and consumers are also encouraged to bring their own bags when shopping.