Non-recyclable Plastic Reduction
The By-law sponsored by Green Hudson and the Board of Health was passed at Town Meeting on May 5, 2025, and it will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
By-law Information:
- Summary of the By-Law
- Short (6-minute) video about the By-Law
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- By-Law Information Brochure
- Slides from the January 9th Community Forum on the By-Law
- Single-Use Plastic Straws Fact Sheet
- Alternative Products Handout (how to replace those items that the by-law prohibits)
- Black Plastic, Temperature, and Food (why hot food should never be put in black plastic containers)
- Where has polystyrene already been banned?
News – Why reducing plastic waste is so important:
- What experts want you to know about micro-plastics (New York times free article)
- Study: Eating from plastic take-out containers can increase heart failure risk (The Guardian)
- 5 State bans on Styrofoam went into effect on January 1, 2025
- What about those Styrofoam lunch trays (Washington Post free article)
- Black Plastic Items Could Contain Harmful Chemicals (4-minute news video)
- Recycling Plastic is Practically Impossible (4-minute audio story)
- Inside the Plastic Industry’s Battle to Win Over Hearts and Minds (NY Times Free Article)
Our successful initiative was supported by contributions from our members and from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
