State-wide plastic bag ban considered

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - This week Brookline became the second community in the state to ban plastic bags.

The move is pushing advocates of a state wide ban to bring the issue up for debate again.

In Hampshire County the idea is already popular; stores like Serios Market in Northampton haven't offered plastic bags in years.

Owner Christina Cavallari told 22News, “People have become really great at bringing their own bags which is really cool."

For customers who may be a bit forgetful, the market offers something called BagShare Project where you can borrow a bag for free and then return it when you can.

It’s a local program that several stores participate in.

Cavallari said, “I mean we still do offer paper bags but the thought is eventually we would like to not offer any and have people be responsible."

However, the idea is expected to meet resistance from many stores.

Plastic bags are extremely slow to break down in dumps and landfills and can easily blow away, becoming a danger to animals and marine line, but they are also convenient, cheap, waterproof and durable.

Lynn Litchfield of Agawam said, “When they give you their meat or fish they put it in a plastic bag so it doesn't get the rest of the food."

Even thought Litchfield uses reusable bags, she doesn’t support banning plastic.

"Don't just throw them out on the street, do something with them, you know there are a lot of other things I’m sure,” she said.

Earl Pollins of Springfield agreed, saying, “Everybody should have a choice.”

The bill is expected to come up when the new legislative session begins in January.