Somerville Joins Other Communities Banning Plastic Bags

SOMERVILLE (AP) — Another Boston-area community is reining in plastic bags.

Starting Sept. 1, Somerville is prohibiting supermarkets and other large retailers from providing customers with single-use bags at checkout.

The ban is being phased in. Businesses with more than 10,000 square feet of floor space must comply by Sept. 1, while all other retailers have until Dec. 1.

The ban doesn't affect plastic bags used for produce, meat, fish or frozen foods. Dry cleaners and newspapers also may still use them.

Officials recommend shoppers bring their own reusable bags, but stores can provide free recyclable paper bags or reusable bags and totes for sale.

The ban was approved last November. Neighboring Cambridge imposed a 10 cent charge on plastic bags in March, and Brookline banned plastic bags in 2013.