New Bedford Halts Repeal of Plastic Bag Ban in Response to Statewide Initiative
NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford City Council has decided to put on hold a vote to repeal the city’s plastic shopping bag ban. This decision comes in light of the Massachusetts state Senate recently voting to ban plastic bags across the entire state.
The City Council was initially set to repeal the local ban after previously voting to do so in committee and during a regular meeting. However, Councilor Linda Morad, citing the state Senate's action, moved to suspend further action on the repeal.
Morad emphasized that the repeal had support primarily because some councilors, including herself, believed that a plastic bag ban would only be effective if it were enforced statewide.
Councilor Brian Gomes, who had spearheaded the repeal effort, noted that the state House of Representatives had yet to approve the statewide ban. He mentioned that a similar attempt had previously failed in the Senate. Gomes then motioned to table the council’s repeal vote in case the state-level initiative fails again. This motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor Jon Mitchell had previously stated his intention to veto any repeal of the ban. Nevertheless, the City Council could override such a veto with an eight-vote supermajority.
Background on New Bedford’s Ban
The New Bedford City Council originally approved the plastic bag ban in 2020. It applies to various businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, convenience and grocery stores, liquor stores, as well as seasonal and temporary businesses. The ban specifically targets establishments that are either at least 10,000 square feet in size or part of a chain with two or more locations in New Bedford totaling 10,000 square feet or more.
Implementation and Penalties
The ban was implemented in early 2022, with fines set for non-compliance. Businesses face fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $300 for third and subsequent offenses. The ordinance defines single-use plastic bags as plastic film-type bags, with or without handles, that are 4 mils thick or less, provided at the point of sale to customers at a business location.
