Notice of Implementation of New Ordinance Governing Plastic Bags & Straws Effective January 1, 2020
Posted December 12, 2019Please be advised that the Governing Body has established an ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags and limiting the distribution of plastic straws by businesses in the City of Garfield. This ordinance takes effect January 1, 2020. By clicking below, you can review a copy of the Ordinance.
Compliance with the Ordinance is required. It is intended to incentivize the use of reusable bags at businesses and ultimately to protect the environment, wildlife, public health, welfare and safety.
The Ordinance applies to "any retail establishment that engages in the retail sale of goods and products."
A comprehensive set of definitions and rules is contained in the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides in part:
a. No business or store shall provide any single use, plastic carry-out bags to a customer ... for the purpose of transporting products or goods out of the business or store.
b. No business or store shall provide plastic straws to customers with the service or delivery of any beverage.
c. Upon request a food service business may provide a single use plastic straw to a person that requires a single use plastic straw due to disability or medical condition.
Failure to comply can result in a monetary penalty.
For details, click below for a complete copy of the Ordinance.