Our first goal is to reduce plastic shopping bag waste in Needham by:

Collaborating with the Select Board to update a previous policy and pass a new plastic bag by-law in town. We hope to join the over 150 towns and cities in Massachusetts who have already passed similar plastic bag bans. To learn more, see our PSA below:

Resources

	Beyond Plastics Their mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere
	Beyond Plastics Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide
	H.4234 - An Act reducing plastic bag pollution The proposed statewide plastic bag ban.
	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.
	Narragansett Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition "A Plastic Bay" documentary created by RI students Wins Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition
	The Problem with Plastic Bags PSA from Green Needham's Plastic Waste Reduction Team
	Trailer for the documentary film "Bag It"

The Plastic Waste Reduction Team is working to reduce single-use plastic consumption and waste in Needham.

One initiative – Two Approaches

1. 1. We are working to draft and pass a “Plastic Bag Ban” by-law during the May 2023 Annual Town Meeting.
  2. Through presentation and outreach, we are working to educate Needham citizens on best practices when it comes to reducing plastic waste. We want to encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags when visiting stores in Needham.

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.
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.
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.

If you are interested in learning how you can help, please reach out and consider joining our team!

Read about what we’ve accomplished so far.

Resources

	Beyond Plastics Their mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere
	Beyond Plastics Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide
	H.4234 - An Act reducing plastic bag pollution The proposed statewide plastic bag ban.
	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.
	Narragansett Students Win Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition "A Plastic Bay" documentary created by RI students Wins Prize in C-SPAN Documentary Competition
	The Problem with Plastic Bags PSA from Green Needham's Plastic Waste Reduction Team
	Trailer for the documentary film "Bag It"

Plastic Waste Reduction Team-KEEP FOR NOW

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