Worcester, MA Single-Use Items: Plastic Bag Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed bags
- Reusable, recyclable paper, compostable
- Reusable bag minimum
- 3.0 mils thick if plastic
- Recycled paper content
- 40% post-consumer minimum
- Max criminal fine
- $300 per violation, per day
- Ordained
- October 15, 2019
Summary
Worcester retailers cannot hand customers thin plastic checkout bags: only reusable bags, recyclable paper bags, or certified compostable plastic bags are allowed at the register. Violators face up to $300 per day, with exemptions for produce, meat, prescriptions and a few other categories.
No retail establishment shall provide any checkout bag to any customer unless the bag is a reusable bag, a recyclable paper bag, or a compostable plastic bag, as those terms are defined herein. ... Whoever violates any provision of this ordinance may be penalized by civil process, criminal process or through the noncriminal disposition as provided in G.L. c. 40, §21D... If enforced using a criminal action, then the fine shall be assessed by the court up to the maximum of $300 per violation.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8, Section 9D, ordained October 15, 2019, bans standard disposable checkout bags citywide to cut litter, protect the marine environment, and reduce solid waste. 0 mils thick), a recyclable paper bag with at least 40% post-consumer content, or a compostable plastic bag certified to ASTM D6400. Subsection (c)(2) lists narrow carve-outs: bags for prescription medications, produce and other perishable foods, frozen items, wet or leaking products, granular or greasy items, dry cleaning, small-item protection, and bags required by other state or federal law. Enforcement falls to the Commissioner of Health & Human Services, the Commissioner of Inspectional Services, the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks, or others the City Manager authorizes, using civil process, criminal process, or the noncriminal disposition schedule in Chapter 15, Subsection (2)(b)(34); each day a retailer keeps using banned bags is a separate offense.
The City Manager can grant a hardship exemption of up to one year where a retailer needs time to draw down existing bag inventory, has no reasonable alternative, or would otherwise lose a legally protected right, but exempted retailers must file monthly inventory reports.
Violations & Fines
Each day a retail establishment provides prohibited checkout bags is a separate offense. Enforced criminally, a court can assess up to $300 per violation; enforced through noncriminal disposition, the Chapter 15 fine schedule applies; enforced civilly, the city may seek civil penalties or an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Worcester stores still give out plastic shopping bags?
Are produce and prescription bags exempt from Worcester's bag ban?
What's the penalty for a Worcester store using banned plastic bags?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Worcester
Compare Worcester to another location·View the Massachusetts single-use items overview
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