Effective March 31, the city of Cambridge bans single-use plastic bags. Retail establishments such as grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, restaurants, liquor stores, and other retailers must comply with this new ordinance.

All checkout bags must be compostable, recycled paper or reusable. Shoppers that don’t provide their own bags will be charged a minimum $0.10/bag at the point of sale.

The purpose of this Ordinance is to reduce the use of disposable checkout bags by retail establishments to protect the marine environment, advance solid waste reduction, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect waterways. This Ordinance seeks to reduce the number of plastic and paper bags that are being burned, used, discarded and littered, and to promote the use of reusable checkout bags.

For more information, visit CambridgeMA.gov.