Plastics Reduction – Green Needham

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?

Single-Use Plastic Waste

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.

Current Initiatives

Skip the Stuff” Initiative –Proposed for consideration at the May 2025 Town Meeting, this bylaw would prohibit food establishments from automatically including accessories like utensils, napkins, and condiments in take-out or delivery orders. The “Skip the Stuff” initiative 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. See FAQs on Skip the Stuff.
Black Plastic Ban – Proposed for consideration at the May 2025 Town Meeting, this bylaw would prohibit 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 the full text of warrant article 12. See FAQs on Black Plastic.
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).

Previous Single-Use Plastic Initiatives and Bylaws

In a decisive vote of approval for Green Needham’s Citizens’ Petition, Town Meeting adopted the ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers, plastic stirrers and plastic splash guards. In addition, plastic straws may be given to consumers only upon request. Restaurants and food establishments will no longer be able to automatically include straws in beverages or with take-out orders. These bans took place starting January 1, 2025, and will go a long way to decreasing single-use plastic waste in Needham. Click the links immediately below to read the text of the plastic ban articles passed in Needham:
- - Ordinance banning Polystyrene, Plastic Straws, Plastic Splash Guards, Plastic Stirrers – passed May 2024
  - 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

Links on the Web

	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"