A Boston ban on plastic carry out bags took effect on December 14, 2018 for retail establishments 20,000 square feet and larger; for those 10,000 square feet and larger, inspections begin on April 1, 2019; and for those smaller than 10,000 square feet, inspections begin on July 1, 2019.
The first violation is a warning, second violation is a $50 fine, and a third or more violation is a $100 fine. The ordinance does not include: newspaper bags; bags used to wrap produce, frozen food, meat, or fish; laundry and dry-cleaner bags, and trash can liners.