What Do You Think of Boston's Potential Plastic Bag Ban?

BOSTON, MA — A city council working group embarked this week on an answer for this question: Should Boston, like Cambridge before it, ban plastic bags?

The "Plastic Bag Ban Working Group" is headed up by Councilor Matt O'Malley, and has 90 days to study and propose options for eliminating plastic bag pollution. Members of the working group will include residents, business owners, environmental advocates, and city officials.

According to Council President Michelle Wu, "Single-use plastic bags are harmful to the environment and contribute significantly to litter on our streets, in our trees, and in city storm drains. The goal of this working group is to formally broaden the conversation and return recommendations on an expedited timeline."

Cambridge implemented a similar ban in late March.

It wasn't the first Massachusetts municipality to ban the bags, but it was the first to charge for not bringing a bag of one's own. Paper bag and reusable bag fees started at 10 cents. Retailers who violate the ban face a fine of $300 per day. Stores are allowed to apply for an exemption to delay the ban, if they believe it would pose undue hardship on their business. Certified, compostable plastic bags are allowed under the Cambridge ordinance.

That's one idea of what a bag ban could look like, if implemented in Boston.

Patch wants to know: What do you think of the idea? Any other bright ideas on reducing plastic pollution? Tell us in the comments here, on Facebook, or by emailing alison.bauter@patch.com

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