Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Explore our latest coverage of environmental issues, climate change and more.

Wilmington To Consider Banning Plastic Bags

A streetview of downtown Wilmington, Vermont.
Howard Weiss-Tisman
/
VPR
Wilmington could become the next town in Vermont to ban plastic bags. Brattleboro's ban on certain single-use plastic bags went into effect on July 1.

Selectboard member Ann Manwaring says the town of Wilmington is considering a proposal to ban plastic bags and will take up the issue at its next meeting.

“The conversation on plastic bags went well,” Manwaring said. “The next steps are for the town manager to craft a draft ordinance for the full board to consider.”

A Brattleboro ordinance that bans certain single-use plastic bags went into effect earlier this summer, and the towns of Peru, Middlebury and Montpelier have also been considering the change.

Under Brattleboro’s ordinance, single-use bags that are 2.25 mils thick or less are prohibited. Retailers can be issued a warning notice for using such bags, but a third violation carries a fine of up to $50.

More from VPR — Brattleboro Officially Says 'See Ya' To Single-Use Plastic Bags[July 6]

Wilmington Works is a downtown development group and its program coordinator, Meg Staloff, said shop owners support the idea.

“Most of what people said was, ‘Look, this is the way things are going. You know, we can be ahead of the curve or we can follow along,’” Staloff said. “And I think most people did not oppose the ban.”

Last year, Vermont lawmakers introduced bills related to carryout plastic bags — one that would create a statewide ban and one that would impose a fee on the use of the bags — but neither were taken up by the full Legislature.

Howard Weiss-Tisman is Vermont Public’s southern Vermont reporter, but sometimes the story takes him to other parts of the state.
Latest Stories