Purpose - The purpose of the ordinance is to encourage the use of reusable checkout bags and to ban the use of plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods.

Ordinance - Only reusable bags and/or recyclable paper bags are to be provided as checkout bags to retail customers.

Date Enacted - The ordinance was approved at the Town of Westport Representative Town Meeting on September 2, 2008.

Operative Date - The ordinance becomes operative on March 19, 2009, allowing time for retail establishments to dispose of their existing inventory of plastic checkout bags and to convert to alternative packaging materials.

Coverage - The ordinance applies to all retail stores, sidewalk sales, farmers' markets, flea markets and restaurants.  It excludes sales of goods at yard sales, tag sales, other sales by residents at their home, and sales by non-profit organizations.

Bag Exclusions - Excluded from the ordinance are:

1. Plastic produce bags made of very thin plastic material used to transport produce, meats or other items selected by customers to the point of sale.
2. Plastic bags that have more than one opening, such as cleaners bags.
3. Plastic bags measuring 28" by 36" or larger.

Reusable Bag - A reusable bag is a bag with handles that is designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is made of cloth, other fabric or durable plastic that is at least 2.25 mils thick.

Recyclable Paper Bag - A recyclable paper bag should:

1.  Not contain any old growth fiber
2. Be 100% recyclable overall
3. Contain a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content
4. Display the words "reusable" and "recyclable" on the outside of the bag

Enforcement - Compliance with the ordinance will be enforced by the Town of Westport Conservation Department through notices of violations, citations and fines.