Woburn City Council Rejects Delay To Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban

WOBURN, MA — Woburn City Council voted at their Feb. 4 meeting to not delay the implementation of the city's single use plastic bag. The proposal, initially proposed by Alderman Edward Tedesco at the Dec. 17 meeting, only received the support of Alderman Michael Concannon and Council President Michael Anderson. Tedesco had proposed the amendment on the grounds that the state legislature was preparing a ban, so it might make sense to wait.

The proposal would have delayed implementation from May 1 to July 31. Speaking to Patch, Tedesco said his vote against his own proposal was procedural, and he still hopes to continue his colleagues to delay the ban until the state has made a decision.

The ban, Section 8-14 of the municipal code, bans retailers from providing single-use plastic checkout bags to customers, outside of certain uses. Reusable, recyclable and compostable bags are allowed, as are thin-film bags for items like produce and meat, bags for bulk items like fruit, laundry bags, and bags sold for home use are exempt.

Aldermen Joanne Campbell and Jeff Dillon both noted that the city cannot predict what the state will do on the issue, according to the City Council Journal.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.