Marblehead will soon be joining the ranks of Boulder, Colorado and Los Angeles as a city that bans plastic bags. The Town Meeting members passed the Board of Health sponsored ban in 2014 and it will soon go into effect. The proposal bans the thin-film, single-use plastic carryout bags that are under 3 mils (a mil is a measurement of plastic bag thickness).

The vote purposefully came with a year delay so that the public may get educated about the changes and so that businesses can get ready. It will officially prohibit Marblehead establishments from giving patrons thin plastic bags or Styrofoam throw away cups and take-out containers.

As Board of Health Member Michelle Gottlieb tried to explain “What we are trying to get people to do is bring their own bags. We don’t want people to use lots of paper. Paper is not the solution.”

The exceptions to the ban will include dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, produce and meat bags, bulk food bags and wet items. Any bags over 3 mil are permitted. Those who don’t comply will be fined after a first warning.

As Gottlieb explained, “If people are aware of non-compliance, they should contact the Board of Health. We will work with that merchant to find appropriate alternatives.”