Around New England

Vermont Plastic Bag Ban Goes Into Effect Despite Coronavirus Pandemic

July 2, 2020

As of Wednesday, July 1 in Vermont, thin-film plastic bags are no longer allowed to be used at stores. 

Instead, shoppers are expected to bring reusable bags to stores or to pay 10 cents apiece for paper bags. The purpose of the new rule is to reduce the amount of plastic used in the state. 

Additionally, plastic straws at restaurants will only be available by request, stirrers will not be made out of plastic, and egg cartons cannot be made of polystyrene, according to WCAX-TV Channel 20 in Burlington, Vermont.

The move comes despite pushback from the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association to postpone the ban amid the coronavirus pandemic; store owners say they worry that reusable bags will increase the spread of coronavirus, which is why they have been banned in Massachusetts during the emergency.


Read More