The ubiquitous plastic bags used by a wide variety of retail, food service and other businesses in Connecticut will soon be undergoing big changes. There is a new law on the state level, and also action in a number of local communities concerning single-use plastic shopping bags.
The proponents of restrictions on plastic bags argue that the bags present a real environmental danger. Estimates are that between five hundred billion and one trillion such single-use plastics bags are consumed each year in the United States. Besides the obvious litter problems caused by the bags, they also interfere with single-stream recycling by clogging the machinery. The bags also end up in massive clumps in the ocean, killing sea life and birds. Even when the bags do break down in the environment, the resulting micro-particles from the polythene material enter the ground, water and eventually the food chain.
At the state level, there is a new two-stage law in effect designed to curb, and eventually eliminate, plastic bags from the waste stream. Effective August 1, 2019, a ten cent per bag tax will be imposed on single-use plastic bags at the retail level. The proceeds will go into the Connecticut general fund. Then, effective July 1, 2021 single use bags will be banned entirely.
In addition, many Connecticut cities and towns have passed their own bans, with various effective dates and specific provisions. For instance, Hamden passed a ban on most plastic bags effective September 1, 2019, Branford passed a ban effective December, 2019 and Stamford passed a ban that was effective May 3, 2019. According to information presented here https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/See-where-your-town-stands-on-a-plastic-bag-ban-13740951.php and at this website
http://www.baglaws.com/legislation.php?state=Connecticut over two dozen Connecticut municipalities have either enacted or are considering plastic bag bans. Most of the laws, including the state tax and ban, do not affect paper bags or the sale of most multi-use reusable plastic bags. Some retailers, such as the grocery chain Big Y, with thirty stores in Connecticut, are attempting to be out in front of the coming bans by transitioning to a ban in their own stores before the full state ban in 2021 (https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Big-Y-plans-plastic-bag-ban-13519050.php).
Some other environmental proposals in this past legislative session were not enacted, including a proposed ban on single-use Styrofoam containers (such as used for take-out food) and proposed restrictions on single-use plastic straws.
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. is located in Hamden, CT and serves clients in and around North Haven, Hamden, Waterbury, Bethany, Milford, Wallingford, Prospect, Woodbridge, Northford, Madison, Beacon Falls, Branford, Cheshire, North Branford, East Haven, Naugatuck, Meriden, Ansonia and New Haven County.
Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at
this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client
relationship.
[ Site Map ]