SAUGUS — Saugus has joined more than 100 Massachusetts cities and towns that have adopted a town-wide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.
In two weeks, Town Meeting members will also consider prohibiting the use of foam take-out containers. Both bylaws were proposed by Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment President Ann Devlin, to reduce the use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam food containers “to protect the town’s unique natural beauty and its water and natural resources.”
“Massachusetts residents use over 2 billion single-use plastic bags per year,” said Devlin. “That’s why it’s pretty easy to see why they end up on our streets, in our trees, and in our waterways.”
Under the plastic bag reduction bylaw, single-use plastic checkout bags can no longer be distributed, used, or sold at checkout in Saugus. Reusable shopping bags and paper bags made of at least 40 percent recycled materials will instead be promoted. The ban does not include dry cleaning, newspaper, produce, and meat bags.
Voters passed the bylaw with a 27-14 vote Monday night after a lengthy discussion. While supporters argued carrying reusable shopping bags was a small price to pay for a healthier planet, others said it was detrimental to the quality of life for residents.
“I find plastic bags very convenient,” said Steve DiVirgilio of Precinct 10. “I don’t see a crisis with plastic bags in trees.”
DiVirgilio said he feared they would start with plastic bags and soon would be banning plastic bottles.
“I am 100 percent certain this ban is not going to improve my quality of life,” he said. “I think there will be unintended consequences here. I think it all sounds good, but the reality is that plastic bags are convenient. I guarantee that you’re going to go to the store one day and be upset that there are no plastic bags.”
Another Town Meeting member, Thomas Falasca, questioned whether people would be expected to pick up dog waste with a paper bag.
The Finance Committee, which made a recommendation on the proposal because of the fees associated with violating the bylaw, urged voters to indefinitely postpone the article.
Chairman Ken DePatto said this was because State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, (D-Marblehead) and Sen. James Eldridge (D-Marlborough) have filed legislation for a statewide plastic bag ban that would commence in August.
“We felt strongly that we should give the legislators the opportunity to put something together that would be equitable for all of the communities in the state,” said DePatto.
But many supporters argued that the town’s bylaw could help shape the state ban.
“If the state is going to do anything about it, it’s not going to be much different than what we’re doing tonight,” said Ryan Fisher of Precinct 9.
More than 100 Massachusetts cities and towns have already adopted a ban, including Lynn, Danvers, Salem, Beverly, Hamilton, and Marblehead.
“Recycling and plastics especially are an incredibly important matter today,” said Pam Goodwin of Precinct 5. “Cities and towns all over, not just in Massachusetts, not just in the United States, but countries and islands, are rejecting the use of plastic bags because they have finally realized what a destructive force plastic can be.”
The bylaw will be enforced by the Board of Health. A first offense will warrant a warning and the penalty for a second offense will be $50 per day. Each subsequent offense will be $100 per day.
The bylaw will go into effect six months after it is approved by the attorney general.
