Springfield, MA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- April 22, 2019
- Effective (large stores)
- June 1, 2020
- Fully effective
- December 1, 2020
- Fines
- $50 first, $100 repeat
Summary
Springfield, Massachusetts retailers, including food and ice cream trucks, may only hand out recyclable paper, certified compostable/marine-degradable plastic, or heavy-duty reusable checkout bags: ordinary thin plastic bags are banned citywide.
If any retail establishment as defined in § 282-1 provides a checkout bag to customers, the bag shall comply with the requirements of being either a recyclable paper bag, a compostable and marine-degradable plastic bag, or a reusable checkout bag.
B. A store that provides any type of checkout bag may provide them for free or at such cost they deem appropriate. All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter shall be retained by the store.
C. Any charge for a checkout bag shall be separately stated on a receipt provided at the time of sale and shall be identified as the "checkout bag charge" thereon.
D. The Director may promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Adopted in 2019, Springfield's plastic bag ordinance requires every retail establishment, a term the code expressly extends to food and ice cream trucks, to provide only recyclable paper bags, compostable and marine-degradable plastic bags meeting ASTM standards, or heavy-duty reusable checkout bags at checkout. Stores may charge whatever they choose for a compliant bag but must itemize any bag charge on the receipt as a 'checkout bag charge.' The rule phased in fully by December 1, 2020 for smaller stores.
Violations & Fines
The Director of Health and Human Services issues a warning for a first violation; a repeat violation within a year draws a $50 fine, escalating to $100 for further offenses, capped at one penalty per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are plastic checkout bags banned in Springfield, MA?
Does Springfield's bag rule apply to food trucks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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