New Canaan Bag Ordinance Effective August 27

A new Town ordinance governing single-use carryout bags by retail establishments goes into effect on August 27, 2019. Carryout bags include any bag provided to a consumer at the point of sale.  

Under the ordinance, no retail establishment may sell, provide or distribute carryout bags made of plastic or kraft paper other than reusable carryout bags made of cloth, fiber or durable plastic.  Exceptions under the ordinance include bags for bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy or hardware items; bags containing frozen food, meat or fish; newspaper and laundry/dry cleaning bags; or bags sold in packages (e.g., garbage bags).  

Retail establishments with more than 10,000 square feet may elect to provide paper carryout bags and charge the consumer 10 cents per bag at the point of purchase.  Enforcement of this ordinance lies with the Director of Health.

A State of Connecticut statute that applies only to plastic bags with limited exceptions went into on August 1st.