Newton Could Ban More Plastic Bags, Impose 10 Cent Fee On Paper

NEWTON, MA — Plastic bags have been banned in Newton since 2015, but because of what some Newton City Councilors are referring to as a loophole, thicker plastic bags like the recycled ones Star Market gives out for free are allowed.

But that could change. A city council committee voted unanimously to ban these types of plastic bags last week and add a 10 cent fee to paper bags. The proposal comes after Boston's recent move to do the same.

A full council vote is set for Feb 19 and proposes any bag offered in Newton would have to be made of cloth, fabric, or a “durable, non-toxic, and generally considered a food-grade material,” plastic bag that can carry 25 pounds for 300 feet, but they'd have to have stitched handles, too.

And another thing according to the proposed vote: Any plastic bags could not have polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride.

RELATED:

Newton Unanimously Bans Plastic Bags (2015)

Boston's Plastic Bag Ban Begins (Dec.2018)

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff