Bill > S525

This bill aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags in Massachusetts. It prohibits retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags to customers, except for certain exemptions such as for produce, medication, and small items. Retail establishments can make recycled paper bags or reusable bags available for purchase, with a minimum price of $0.10 per bag. The revenue from the recycled paper bag sales will be distributed to cities and towns to fund reusable bag distribution, litter prevention, recycling, and other environmental programs. The bill also establishes standards for reusable bags, allows some existing local bag regulations, and requires the state to seek a federal waiver to exempt electronic benefit transfer card users from the recycled paper bag fee. The bill will take effect 6 months after passage, with some enforcement provisions delayed until January 2024.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S525