As Green Needham celebrates its 20th year, we turn our focus this month to plastics reduction – the measures now in effect, how they were achieved, what the future might hold — and how you can be part of the solution.
Plastics! They are everywhere. Food and drink containers. Children’s toys. Toothbrushes. Polyester and nylon clothing. Furniture. Flooring. Computers. Dinnerware. The list goes on and on. At the same time, medical research is raising the alarm about the health effects of microplastics. Where do we start?
Since 2017, Green Needham’s Plastics Reduction Team, led by Kathy Raiz and Rob Fernandez, has been dedicated to reducing single-use plastics. With help from the League of Women Voters of Needham, the Needham High School Environmental Club, and George Goneconto’s 4th grade class at the Sunita Williams School, the Team focused first on eliminating plastic check-out bags. In the past few years, the Team has initiated several additional efforts which were approved by Town Meeting and are enforced by the Board of Health.
These mandates for food establishments are now in effect:
- No single-use plastic checkout bags
- No foam polystyrene (Styrofoam) food or beverage single-use containers
- No single-use plastic stirrers or plastic splash guards (such as long plastic sticks inserted into a sip hole)
- No black plastic kitchenware, such as take-out containers, utensils, and condiment cups
In January, Skip the Stuff was enacted. Plastic straws, utensils, napkins, condiments and other accessories in take-out or delivery orders can be dispensed only upon request. For dine-in customers, plastic straws should also be given only upon request.
Taken together, these bylaws reduce a significant amount of waste produced by our town. Needhamites benefit in many ways, from reduced trash volume, to cleaner public spaces, to reduced exposure to microplastics and harmful chemicals.
What does the future hold? The Team plans to highlight local businesses that are doing a great job with plastic reduction and sustainability, expand the Tap Map that pinpoints places where reusable water bottles can be refilled, and continue to advocate at the state level for broader plastic and waste reduction legislation. Team members are collaborating with local colleges and Sustainable Wellesley to devise creative ways to reduce plastic water bottle usage. Additional projects that are being considered include a party kit of reusable dinnerware/glasses/utensils and a graduation gown collection for reuse. The opportunities for reducing waste and single-use plastics are numerous.
What can you do?
Be informed! Register here for “Plastics: the Mounting Threat to Public Health,” a webinar hosted by Green Needham and the League of Women Voters of Needham featuring pediatrician and epidemiologist Dr. Phillip Landrigan on Wednesday, January 28 at 4 p.m. Read more.
Think reusable and non-plastic! Use stainless steel or glass reusable water bottles. Bring a container to a restaurant for leftovers. Bring reusable bags to the store – and use them often. They have a lower carbon footprint than paper bags and save money for the business. More ideas.
Would you like to be a member of the Plastic Reduction Team? We meet regularly and always welcome new members.
