Massachusetts Lifts Ban On Reusuable Bags

BOSTON — The 139 cities and towns in Massachusetts with bans on single-shopping bags can start enforcing them again after the state lifted its emergency order on reusable shopping bags Friday.

"This is a home run -- good for the environment, for public health, for reducing waste, and for protecting both workers and shoppers," MASSPIRG Executive Director Janet Domenitz said in a statement.

The ruling from State Health Commissioner Monica Bharel also lifted an April order that reduced occupancy restrictions for grocery stores. Both orders were aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Some business owners and groups worried that the sudden lifting of the ban on reusable bags is not giving merchants enough time to prepare. It will be up to each of the 139 municipalities that have passed bans on single-use reusable bags to determine how to go about enforcing their local rules.

• Newton Businesses Concerned Over Sudden Return Of Plastic Bag Ban

"We are concerned by the suddenness of this, preferring that there would be a grace period of at least 30 to 60 days to allow merchants to sell through at least some of their existing stock of plastic bags and time to restock paper bags, if needed," Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce, said.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).