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?
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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
- 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 will take 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:
- Supporting Senator Becca Rausch, in her efforts to pass state-wide legislation to reduce plastic waste: “Act to Reduce Plastics (S.2833)”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- 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 Bylaw Fact Sheet
- 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 | |
