GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Communities all over the United States have bans in place against flimsy plastic retail bags. 

Regulating plastic bags can decrease the harmful impacts they have on oceans, rivers, lakes and the wildlife that reside in them according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

While there has yet to be a federal level ban on the use of plastic bags, smaller areas, especially seaside communities have taken matters into their own hands.

Now Gloucester, Massachusetts is taking some steps down a similar path by banning the use of plastic bags by retail stores that cover 2,500 or more square feet

In August 2014, California became the first state to enact a statewide legislation ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores, but Hawaii has local rules on it’s four main islands that prohibits plastic bags from being distributed by big grocery stores. 

The California law requires large stores to offer customers recycled paper bags made of compostable — easily broken down material. Retailers of stores are required to have an in-store recycling program where customers can dispose of their used plastic bags.

Several cities have similar rules and several businesses have embraced the bag ban. For example, the Swedish furniture store Ikea only offers re-usable bags that customers pay for and Whole Foods, an organic grocery store chain, encourages customers to bring their own reusable bags. 

In Gloucester, City Councilors Greg Verga and Melissa Cox have filed a proposed ordinance that would reduce, though hardly eliminate, the use of the thin plastic within America’s oldest seaport, potentially by next spring. It is scheduled for a hearing on Feb. 1, 2016.

“Obviously, we want the retailers to have a voice in this,” Cox said. “This is their busiest time of year, and I would never look to have a meeting or hearing that would pull them away from their businesses over the holidays. But I do think this is at least a conversation worth having and something worth looking at, especially with our being right on the water.”

About the proposal

The Gloucester proposal calls for banning the use of plastic bags by retail stores that cover 2,500 or more square feet. It would also apply to businesses that have three or more outlets totaling 2,500 square feet within the city.

“This would not affect the little mom-and-pop shops. That’s not the idea,” Verga said.

The proposal arose out of a question that was raised during a campaign debate.

“Someone asked about looking into a ban on plastic bottles and plastic bags,” he said. “I think banning plastic bottles would be more difficult, but in looking at reducing the number of plastic bags, we’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re also not looking to create a hardship for small businesses. But a lot of communities have shown us how to do this.”

The Gloucester proposal does not cite a specific bag thickness, but the Brookline ordinance clamps a ban on any plastic bag that carries a thickness of less than 2.25 millimeters and that is not designed for multiple uses.

Violaters would get a warning for a first offense, a fine of $50 for a second offense, and $100 fines for each subsequent offense.

Choosing a path

Cox said she recognizes there will be a number of issues in play.

“Whether this ever gets approved or not, it brings up the debate,” she said. “And even if this doesn’t pass, it’s going to draw in a lot of discussion and information about recycling, for instance. Either way, there’s a benefit to having this conversation.”

She added, however, that with “people using these plastic bags to dispose of their dog waste, with fishermen pulling them up (from the harbor),” it’s time for the city to tackle the issue.

“I challenge anyone who doesn’t think we need to do something to join some of our Saturday morning cleanups around the city, and see what we find,” she said.

“There are so many ways communities have gone about this, and the paths are already there for us. We just have to choose and decide.”

Lamont writes for the Eagle (Massachusetts) Tribune.