Chicopee, MA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)

Chapter 280, Checkout Bags, was adopted by the Chicopee City Council on 10-1-2024 as Ord. No. 24-77. Under § 280-2(A), a retail establishment in the City of Chicopee that provides a checkout bag must supply one of three kinds: a recyclable paper bag, a compostable and marine-degradable plastic bag, or a reusable checkout bag. Section 280-1 defines retail establishment as any retail space in the City, including a restaurant, food or ice cream truck, convenience store, retail pharmacy or supermarket.

The definitions set the product standards. A recyclable paper bag is 100% recyclable including the handles, contains at least 40% post-consumer recycled paper content and displays the word "recyclable" on the outside. A marine-degradable plastic bag conforms to the ASTM D7081 standard. A reusable checkout bag is a sewn bag with stitched handles that can carry 25 pounds over a distance of 300 feet, made of cloth or machine-washable fabric, or of non-polyethylene, non-PVC plastic more than four mills thick (the code's spelling). Excluded from the checkout bag definition are produce bags, laundry and dry-cleaner bags, newspaper bags, bags for frozen foods, meat, fish or moisture, a nonplastic bag without handles for prepared food, and a pharmacy bag for prescription medication.

Section 280-2(B) lets a store give bags away or charge what it deems appropriate, and the store keeps all moneys collected. Under § 280-2(C), any charge must be separately stated on the receipt as the "checkout bag charge." The Director of the Health Department can promulgate implementing rules. Effective dates in § 280-4 are October 1, 2024 for retail establishments of 50,000 square feet and greater and June 1, 2025 for those under 50,000 square feet.