Brookline's Ban On Plastic Bags Set To Begin

Brookline's ban on plastic shopping bags is set to begin and authorities say they plan to phase the change in gradually.

The Boston Glob reports that the town's ban on plastic bags and polystyrene - some plastic and foam - containers begins Sunday.

Alan Balsam is Brookline's director of public health and human services. He has said he's allowing retailers to use up their current inventories of the disposable plastic bags before switching to acceptable alternative bags. He says he is waiting until January to enforce the ban of polystyrene food and beverage containers.

The bans were approved by the Brookline Town Meeting in November 2012. The Globe reports about 70 businesses will be affected by the ban on the plastic bags and about 350 businesses will be affected by the ban on polystyrene containers.