The Next Cities to Ban Plastic Bags

Boston and Minneapolis are set to be the next major cities to ban plastic bags in the U.S. (Image via Twitter)

It appears that Boston will be the next major U.S. city to pass legislation on plastic bags. Boston City Council members are set to meet today to debate a proposed plastic bag ban in the city.

According to Boston Patch, the proposed ordinance, which would take effect in one year, includes the following:

1. A 5 cent minimum fee for bags provided at checkout. The bags also must meet standards of being reusable, recyclable or compostable.
2. If stores violate that rule more than once a year, they'll be on the hook for a $50 fee for the first offense and $100 for each subsequent offense.
3. If, however, these retail stores feel the rule is a burden on their business, they can receive temporary exemption under specific circumstances.

Another city looking to cut down on waste and pollution, Minneapolis, is set to put its own plastic bag ban in place for June 2017.

According to a press release, Nimble Impressions, a Minneapolis-based marketing agency, has already used this opportunity to supply the city with personalized, reusable bags that would fall in line with the new requirements.

"Summer of 2017 will be here before we know it," Alan Haskins, owner of Nimble Impressions, said in the press release. "It's Nimble's prerogative to be a solution for all those in need, whether they need reusable bags or other products. We see this not only as an opportunity to participate in bettering the planet and our community, but also as an opportunity for our customers to be comforted with a resource for supplying an item that will soon be in high demand."

So, for promotional products distributors in areas where plastic bag bans are in the near future, it could be a large positive for their bag businesses.