Westborough Alerts Local Businesses About Big Change In Plastic Law

WESTBOROUGH, MA — A major shift in Westborough's plastic bag bylaw — now called the "plastic reduction bylaw" — will begin in April, and town officials have sent a letter to local businesses alerting them of penalties for noncompliance.

Starting April 17, any business that offers takeout food will have to switch from plastic containers and utensils to biodegradable takeout containers. The change was approved in October during a special Town Meeting.

"[A] new use regulation has been added, stating that 'grocery or retail stores must use biodegradable material for dine-out services when such an alternative exists. Examples include, but are not limited to, takeout container, utensils, sauce containers,'" the town's letter to businesses said.

Under town law, businesses that skirt the plastic reduction bylaw get a written warning for the first offense and a $50 fine for the second and every subsequent offense.

Westborough's plastic reduction bylaw also prohibits businesses from offering plastic bags at checkout. Businesses can offer either recyclable paper or reusable bags instead, and can charge for them. The bylaw does not prohibit plastic bags for items like dry cleaning, produce and bulk foods.