Non-recyclable Plastic Reduction
The By-law (Article 24) was passed at Town Meeting on May 5, 2025, and it will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
Click below to watch a Short (6-minute) video about the By-Law:
Information:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- By-Law Information Brochure
- 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?
Watch the video of the January 9th Forum about the By-Law.
The slides from the presentation can be viewed here.
News:
- 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.
