Boston has joined the ranks of major American cities that are taking steps to curb plastic pollution by banning single-use shopping bags.
The Massachusetts city mayor Marty Walsh signed an ordinance on Sunday stating that if a consumer forgets to bring a reusable bag, a store can charge them 5 cents for a stronger plastic, compostable, or paper bag.
The legislation, which was unanimously approved the City Council last month, will go into full effect next autumn.
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Walsh says that in addition to reaping the environmental benefits of banning single-use plastic bags, taxpayers are expected to save a little extra pocket money from city litter clean-up.
Before California became the first US state to issue a plastic bag ban in 2014, Los Angeles County, San Francisco, and other Californian communities had already issued plastic bans. Other major cities and regions that have issued similar legislation include Portland, Oregon and coastal North Carolina.
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