No, there are no exemptions.

No.

Yes. The definition in the ordinance states that a reusable bag is sewn with stitched handles.

No.

Yes, and No.

No, if the bag is used to protect loose food (e.g., a bagel in a paper bag)

Yes, if multiple bags are placed into a larger checkout bag to carry out.

Yes. It is recommended that establishments that have a call-in ordering option develop a company policy regarding the bag fee for call-in orders. One suggestion is to ask the customer during the call if they will bring a bag(s) at the time of pick-up, if not, a bag will be provided at a cost of 10 cents.

No.

Yes.

The Newton Health Department will enforce the law.

Yes, the 10 cents or more fee that establishments must charge is subject to MA sales tax.

A reusable bag is must be sewn with stitched handles and designed for multiple uses. It must be made of natural fibers or durable, non-toxic plastic (not polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride) that is at least 4 mils thick.

If a cash register cannot be programmed to add “checkout bag charge,” or if a paper receipt is used, the words “checkout bag charge - ten (10) cents” must be handwritten.

The checkout bag fee is required to be a separate line item on the receipt listed as “Checkout Bag Charge.”

For stores 3,500 square feet or larger, the ordinance is effective on January 8, 2020.

For stores smaller than 3,500 square feet, the ordinance is effective on July 8, 2020.

Plastic bags harm the environment and cannot be recycled curbside. The ordinance is intended to reduce litter and to encourage customers to bring their own re-usable shopping bags. Over 120 communities in Massachusetts have now passed laws to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Yes. This brochure has information on products that meet the requirements of the ordinance. You can also contact RecyclingWorks by calling the hotline at 888-254-5525 or email info@recyclingworksma.com or email Green Newton at zerowaste@greennewton.org for free assistance on recycling, sourcing compliant products, etc. You can also visit http://recyclesmartma.org for the Recyclopedia in which you can enter a name of an item to see if it is recyclable. For additional recycling questions you can also email Recycle Smart at recyclesmartma@mass.gov.

On Tuesday January 30th, Green Newton held a webinar regarding the new Sustainable Materials Ordinance. Click HERE to view the recording and attached are the two PowerPoint presentations that were shared during the webinar: AlanGordon-newton-packaging-ordinance-slides AbbeyMassaro-RecyclingWorks_slides

“Reusable” means food and beverage serviceware that is intended to be washed multiple times in a commercial dishwasher and to retain their form and function over multiple use and washing cycles.

“Compostable” means any product that is certified as such by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA), or OK Compost/TUV.

“Recyclable” refers to materials that are accepted by the City’s municipal collection program. This includes uncoated paper, aluminum, glass, and certain plastics. Black plastic and plastic-lined paper products are not recyclable. 

If you need assistance determining whether a particular product is recyclable, call RecyclingWork’s hotline at (888) 254-5525 or email Green Newton at zerowaste@greennewton.org.

“Accessories” means any food and beverage serviceware items that are not dishware and containers. This includes, but is not limited to, straws, forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks, stirrers, condiment packages, and napkins.

These items may not be prepackaged in sets and may only be provided upon request of the customer or at self-serve stations. Accessory items intended for takeout orders do not need to be reusable, compostable, or recyclable.

“Single use” means food and beverage serviceware that are designed to be used once and then discarded.

All containers, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, cups, lids, film wrap, and other items on or in which prepared foods and beverages are packaged or directly placed.

“Full service food establishment” means a food establishment where customers are seated at a table either by waitstaff or by themselves, and where orders are taken and served by waitstaff at the table.

Yes. The Food Code allows consumer-owned, personal take-out beverage containers to be refilled by food establishment employees or the consumer if the container is clean and refilling is a contamination-free process. It is up to the discretion of the establishment whether to accept reusable cups for refill and to accept or reject any container.

Yes. Customers may bring in their own clean containers for packaging leftovers. The container must be filled by the customer at their table.

“Foam polystyrene” means a nonbiodegradable petrochemical thermoplastic made from aerated forms of polystyrene. “Styrofoam” is a trademarked form of polystyrene and is commonly used as a generic term to refer to foam polystyrene. Foam polystyrene is generally used to make insulated cups, bowls, trays, clamshell containers, meat trays, foam packing materials, and egg cartons.

“Packing materials” means materials used to hold, cushion, or protect an item packed in a container for shipping, transport, or storage. This includes, but is not limited to, packing peanuts, shipping boxes, coolers, ice chests or other similar containers.

This ordinance aims to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastics in the City of Newton.