Single-Use Items in Somerville, MA (2026)
4 verified single-use items rules for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Plastic Bag Rules
Somerville bans retail establishments from handing out disposable plastic shopping bags at checkout entirely, not a fee, a straight prohibition under Section 9-105.2. Stores can still sell reusable bags or offer recyclable paper bags at the register, and the ban phased in by store size back in 2016.
Somerville Plastic Shopping Bag Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances §§ 9-105.2, 9-105.3
No retail establishment shall provide a disposable plastic shopping bag to any customer for the purpose of enabling the customer to carry away goods from the point of sale. Nothing in this section shall be read to preclude any establishment from making reusable bags available for sale to customers or utilizing recyclable paper bags at checkout. ... The penalty for each violation that occurs aft...
Polystyrene Foam Rules
Somerville bans food establishments from dispensing prepared food in expanded polystyrene (foam) containers, and bars city departments and city contractors from purchasing or using them. The ban is enforced by the Health Department and Inspectional Services Department.
Somerville Polystyrene Container Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-102
Except as provided herein, on and after the date that is one year from the enactment of this division: (1) Food establishments are prohibited from dispensing prepared food to customers in disposable food service containers made from expanded polystyrene; (2) City departments or agencies shall not purchase or use disposable food service containers made from expanded polystyrene while in the perf...
Plastic Straw Rules
Somerville food establishments cannot hand out plastic beverage straws with a meal unless a customer asks for one. Section 9-106.2 makes straws (and plastic stirrers and cutlery) request-only, enforced by Inspectional Services with permit suspension for repeat violators.
Somerville Straws Upon Request Rule
Some RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-106.2
No food establishment shall dispense, distribute, or sell a plastic beverage straw, plastic stirrer, or plastic cutlery in conjunction with the sale or service of prepared food, except upon request of an individual. If a food establishment that provides plastic straws upon request also provides self-serve, single-use items for food consumption such as napkins or cup lids, it should post a print...
Utensils-On-Request
Plastic cutlery cannot be handed out with prepared food in Somerville unless a customer asks for it. Section 9-106.2 makes single-use forks, spoons, and knives request-only, with the cutlery provisions phased in on April 1, 2022.
Somerville Utensils Upon Request Rule
Some RestrictionsSomerville Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-106.1, Sec. 9-106.2
Plastic cutlery means any utensil, such as a fork, spoon, spork, or knife, made predominantly of plastic derived from either petroleum or a biologically based polymer intended for only one time use... No food establishment shall dispense, distribute, or sell a plastic beverage straw, plastic stirrer, or plastic cutlery in conjunction with the sale or service of prepared food, except upon reques...