Our Goal
The Plastics Reduction Team is working to reduce single-use plastic consumption and waste in Needham.
Why is reducing single use plastic so important?
- Plastic is toxic: Plastics are made from toxic, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and fossil fuels. Most are made from a by-product of gas, called ethane, which is produced during the hydrofracking process.Plastic pollutes: Hydrofracking causes air and water pollution. When plastic breaks down it creates microplastics, which contaminate soil, water and air.
- Plastic negatively affects climate change: If plastic were a country, it would be the world’s fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter.
- Plastic has harmful effects on health: Micro and nano-plastics have been found in the human brain, blood, lungs, heart and gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to respiratory issues, gastrointestinal issues, reproductive issues, and increased cancer risk.
- Plastic is largely not recyclable: Because of the different chemicals used to make plastics, only 5-6% of plastics are recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators or in the environment.
Recent Wins!
Two bylaws passed during May 2025 Special Town Meeting.
- “The Skip the Stuff” bylaw prohibits food establishments from automatically including accessories like utensils, napkins, and condiments in take-out or delivery orders. “Skip the Stuff” is considered a win for both the environment and businesses, as it will reduce waste and save restaurants money. See the full text of warrant article 11.
- Black Plastic Ban – This bylaw prohibits food establishments from using black plastic kitchenware, such as take-out containers, utensils and condiment cups. Black plastic items are often made from recycled electronic waste, which can contain unregulated amounts of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and flame retardants. These chemicals can migrate into food, especially when heated, and pose a hazard to human health. Moreover, the vast majority of black plastic containers are not recycled because the technology used by recycling facilities to sort plastics cannot “see” the color black. See full text of warrant article 12.
On-going Initiatives
- Improving our Tap Map – keep an eye on our Tap Map as we expand the number of locations where you can easily refill your water bottle!
- Supporting Senator Becca Rausch, in her efforts to pass state-wide legislation to reduce plastic waste– On May 6, 2025, our team went to the State House to give testimony on several proposed bills, including:
- “Act to Reduce Plastics (S.654)” (Rausch) S.629/H.912,
- An Act to reduce polystyrene in the environment(Lewis/Ciccolo) S.590/H.933,
- An Act relative to plastic bag reduction (Eldridge/Domb)
- Partnering with Needham businesses and the Board of Health to help managers/owners educate their employees and their customers about the banned single-use plastic items and the recently passed Skip-the-Stuff policy (effective January 1, 2026). Check out our Restaurant Resource page for useful posters and reference sheets.
Previous Single-Use Plastic Initiatives and Bylaws
- Needham has been taking positive steps to reduce single-use plastics for the past few years. Following is a list of bans that were previously passed:
- Ordinance banning Polystyrene, Plastic Straws, Plastic Splash Guards, Plastic Stirrers – passed May 2024. Click here to read more about why Green Needham sponsored the ban of these items
- Ordinance banning Plastic Checkout Bags – passed May 2023
Green Needham Launches Tap Map
Tired of the pollution and health concerns caused by single-use plastic water bottles? Explore Needham's Tap Map to learn about locations around town where you can refill your reusable water bottle.
Alternatives to Plastic in Our Homes
Do you want to do more to reduce plastic usage in your home? Yes, there are plastic alternatives. Read more about easy ways to switch.
The Problem with Plastic Bags
Single-use plastic shopping bags are everywhere, with an estimated one to five trillion consumed around the world every year. They harm wildlife, pollutes our land and waterways, and cause problems at recycling facilities.
Expanded Ban on Single-use Plastics
Submitted a Citizen's Petition for inclusion on the May 2024 Town Meeting Warrant to ban specific single-use plastic items.
Plastic Bag Ban ByLaw in Needham
With overwhelming support at Town Meeting on May 3, 2023, Needham passed the Plastic Bag Ban Citizens' Petition Article, and joined the over 150 towns and cities in Massachusetts that have passed similar plastic bag bans. The ban will go into effect January 1, 2024, for large stores, and July 1, 2024 for smaller stores.
Education/Outreach
We are working on an educational outreach campaign to encourage Needham store patrons to shop with their reusable bags. From elementary schools to local community groups, we are educating people about the benefits of choosing reusable bags over plastic or paper.
Our History
Read about what we’ve accomplished so far.
- Prepare the town for the upcoming plastic bag ban by encouraging Needham shoppers to bring reusable bags to the store.
If you are interested in learning how you can help, please consider joining our team! Fill out the below form and someone on our Team will contact you.
Resources
Documents
- An Act to Reduce Plastics – Introduced January 2023
- Attested Copy – Article 45 Vote As Amended (Polystyrene, Straws, Splashguards, Stirrers)
- Beyond Plastics Organization – Description
- FAQ about the Proposed Needham Plastic Bag Ban
- FAQs – Skip the Stuff – Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 11
- FAQs for Black Plastic Ban – Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 12
- Motion to Amend Article 39- Plastic Bag Ban
- Needham Plastic Bag Ban – Article 45 Adopted May 2023
- Needham Plastic Bag Bylaw March 2023
- Plastic Bag Ban Infographic
- Plastic Bag Flyer – Created by Chris Thomas
- Plastic Check-out Bag Policy – Needham BoS
- Sierra Club Letter of Support for Needham Plastic Bag Ban Bylaw
- Single-use Plastic Banned Reference Sheet
- Single-use Plastic Bylaw Fact Sheet
- Skip the Stuff – Employee Information Sheet
- Skip the Stuff – Flyer
- Skip the Stuff – Sign for Self-Serve Stations
- Skip the Stuff – Take-out Reminder Slip
- Story of Wellesley Bag Ban
- Sunita Williams School has “Plastic-Free Lunch” Day on April 13, 2023
Links on the Web
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Beyond Plastics
Their mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere |
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Beyond Plastics
Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide |
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H.4234 - An Act reducing plastic bag pollution
The proposed statewide plastic bag ban. | |
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Mass Green - Plastic Bag Ban resources for Massachusetts communities
Provides extensive information on plastic bags and bans, including by-laws and ordinances passed in other Massachusetts towns and cities. | |
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Narragansett Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition
"A Plastic Bay" documentary created by RI students Wins Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition | |
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The Problem with Plastic Bags
PSA from Green Needham's Plastic Waste Reduction Team | |
