CHICOPEE, Mass. — Several businesses in Chicopee will soon have to adjust after the city council voted unanimously earlier this month to ban the use of single-use retail plastic bags next year.
What You Need To Know
- Chicopee city council voted unanimously earlier this month to ban the use of single-use retail plastic bags next year.
- City Councilor Sam Shumsky said many residents, particularly ones who live near retail stores, have been complaining about trash constantly ending up on their property.
- Some Chicopee grocery stores like Arnold’s Meats have concerns about getting rid of plastic bags due to the quality and cost of using paper bags.
- The plastic bag ban will start on June 1 of next year. The ban will only apply to retail businesses in Chicopee.
City Councilor Sam Shumsky, who was one of several city leaders who initially proposed the law, said the items have been a big trash concern, particularly around Chicopee Marketplace for years.
“The way they were hanging from trees I call them ‘trash ornaments,'” said Shumsky. “And the first look when you come in and you see the city is just — it’s trash, it’s litter and by proposing this ban and instituting it, I think it’s going to help that and mitigate the situation.”…