AMHERST — Just days after a ban on single-use plastic bags by stores in Amherst began, the Board of Health will act on one business’s request to defer compliance.
But even though A.J. Hastings submitted a request that is triggering a hearing at 5:10 p.m. Jan. 12 in Room 101 at the Bangs Community Center, co-owner Sharon Povinelli said the century-old business stopped using single-use plastic bags a while ago.
The request, Povinelli said, is to ensure a better understanding of the conditions of the bylaw adopted by Town Meeting last May.
The bylaw prohibits stores from using plastic bags that are three-one-thousandths of an inch thick or less, and instead recommends they use plastic bags that are biodegradable, reusable and compostable, or recyclable paper bags. These paper bags should be 100 percent recyclable, contain a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer recycled content and display the words “recyclable” or “please recycle” on the outside.
Povinelli said Hastings spends money to purchase bags, with its logo. She said she hopes the health board can provide guidance on whether these are acceptable, so the store can avoid possible $100-per-day fines.
“I want to get clarity on that,” Povinelli said.
Health and Community Services Director Julie Federman said the health board will hold the hearing and, until a decision is rendered, Hastings can continue to use whatever bags it has in hand for customers.
“We are letting them comply with previous rules, as they made the request before Jan. 1,” Federman said.
All other stores are supposed to be in compliance, though the health board, possibly assisted by police, will only act if complaints are received.
Certain plastic bags are exempt, including ones used at supermarkets to hold meat, cheese and deli products, and those to keep home-delivered newspapers dry.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
