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MADISON, CT — A new town law would take the phase-out of single-use plastic bags to the next level. To encourage people to shop carrying reusable bags only, an ordinance to amend the town code means shoppers would have to pay $.10 for recycled paper bags.

The rule would apply to all businesses that sell goods that can be bagged.

"The purpose of this initiative is to protect the environment in the Town of Madison, including its coastline and marine life, for the benefit and welfare of its residents by encouraging the use of Reusable Checkout Bags," the town says.

Well - its not perfect, but here's another state banning most single-use plastic bags. The problem - paper bags are free and are just as harmful to the environment in their own way, and thicker plastic bags are allowed for 10 cents - with the hope that they will be reused. Guess what - they won't be. 

https://news.delaware.gov/.../plastic-carryout-bag-ban.../.  

 New Haven, CT—Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) partnered with BYOCT, BYO Madison and the CT Food Bank today for a safe, socially-distant reusable bag giveaway in New Haven. 

The purpose of the event was to distribute new reusable bags to New Haven area families in need, while educating the community on the need to reduce pollution from single-use plastics. 

Together, these groups distributed over a 1,000 reusable bags to nine food pantries and one middle school serving New Haven area residents. CCE and our organizing partners appreciate local organizations and business sponsors who have contributed reusable bags and funding to support this effort.  

Read the full Press Release here. 

STAMFORD, Conn. — Mayor David Martin today announced he signed an ordinance amending Stamford’s charter to prohibit the sale and distribution of polystyrene products (often referred to as the trademarked term “Styrofoam”) for food packagers and retail establishments in the City of Stamford. The ordinance will take effect in April 2021. 

“BYO Connecticut applauds the City of Stamford, its leadership, residents, and businesses for their continued collaborative commitment to stopping disposable waste before it starts,” said BYO Connecticut’s Jeanine Behr Getz. “Stamford’s initiative and effective management of environmental, social, and governance issues are critical to the long-term success of the City, our State, the vitality of the planet, and will inspire towns and cities across Connecticut to strive to do the same” 

 The ban is officially in the bag. Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a new law banning businesses from handing out single-use plastic bags, polystyrene food containers, plastic straws and paper bags in New Jersey. The measure, which was passed by state lawmakers in September, is seen as the strictest stance against single-use plastics in the nation. 

 “Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, rivers, and oceans,” Murphy said in statement. “With today’s historic bill signing, we are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for future generations.”