More Connecticut Towns Looking To Ban Plastic Bags

A growing number of Connecticut communities are taking action to ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores.

A growing number of Connecticut communities are taking action to ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores.

For now, only Westport and Greenwich have banned single-use plastic bags, and Stamford will soon follow.

According to the CT Post, discussions about bans have been held in February at meetings in New Haven, Hamden, Branford, Guilford, and North Branford.

Environmental groups, who initiated many of those discussions, say they are tired of waiting for the state to address the problem.

In New Haven, which actually had a plastic bag ban for a short while in the 1990s, a proposed ordinance is under review. In Guilford and Branford, residents have started Bring Your Own (BYO) groups to advocate for change locally. The organization’s stated goal is “to encourage the use of reusable checkout bags for the benefit of our town’s environment and citizens.”

The group recently submitted a petition with more than 500 signatures to Guilford’s Board of Selectmen to suggest the town speeds up the ban of plastic bags.

In their statement, the BYO group warns that plastic bags pose a threat to the Long Island Sound, wildlife, natural areas, and health of the Guilford community.

The good news is that environmentalist groups and individual towns are not the only ones hoping the state will take action.

North America’s largest grocery chain, Kroger, announced that it will discontinue single-use plastic bags in its stores by 2025 as part of its sustainability program “Zero Hunger, Zero Waste.”

Nikola Gemeš

Highlights • 10 years of writing and editing experience Obsessed with home decor trends, plant parenting, cleaning, and other lifestyle topics. • Expertise in content marketing and email strategy for brands and small businesses About Nikola Gemeš Nikola Gemeš, an electrical engineer turned sustainability consultant, bridges the gap between complex environmental concepts and GreenCitizen readers with his well-researched, accurate content. His commitment to sustainability extends from his professional life to personal practices of recycling and home-grown food. An adventurer at heart, Nikola enjoys hiking, white-water sports, and pocket knife collecting. At Green Citizen, he's instrumental in presenting the best sustainable brands, aiding well-informed decision-making. He firmly believes in the collective power of individuals, experts, businesses, and governments to foster a world where sustainability, life quality, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality are core values. Experience Nikola Gemeš has a rich and diverse background in electrical engineering, which he utilizes to break down complex sustainability topics for his readers. His unique blend of technical knowledge and communicative skills has made him a crucial part of GreenCitizen. Nikola's experience has honed his ability to navigate through intricate data and research, ensuring the content he delivers is both accurate and reliable. His passion for educating and informing is palpable in the impact he has made on Green Citizen's readership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nikola is deeply committed to environmental conservation in his personal life. This commitment is reflected in his everyday activities, from recycling to cultivating his own food. His hands-on approach to sustainability gives him a first-hand understanding of practical conservation efforts, further enriching the content he produces. These personal experiences often seep into his work, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Nikola's key role extends to assessing and presenting sustainable brands to his audience. His comprehensive grasp of sustainability allows him to critically evaluate and offer the best environmentally-friendly options available on the market. He aids readers in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on both their lives and the environment. His belief in collective efforts towards a sustainable world is evident in his work, as he consistently promotes values of quality life, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality.