Could A Plastic Bag Ban Be Coming To Westwood?

Photo by Jo Lanta on UnsplashWestwood Environmental Action Committee (WEAC) is currently conducting a survey about plastic bags. The committee, which advises the Board of Selectmen on environmental issues, is at present “gauging community feedback on a plastic bag ban,” according to committee member Julie Gervais.

Bans on plastic bags in stores have become popular throughout both the Commonwealth and the United States. Per BagLaws.com, cities and towns in Norfolk County with bag bans include: Brookline, Franklin, Cohasset, and Wellesley.

Gervais said that WEAC members “are concerned about plastic pollution. Plastic bags are the 3rd largest source of litter on U.S. coasts, surpassed only by cigarette butts and bottle caps. Plastic bags kill over 300 species on land and sea. Australian researchers estimate that all of the [world’s seabirds] have plastic in their systems. Plastic bags do not biodegrade. Light breaks them down into smaller and smaller particles (micro-plastics) that contaminate the soil and water.” Furthermore, because of how they are made, plastic bags cannot be recycled with other plastic recyclables, they must have separate recycling which “...properly recycled in most cases it costs more to deliver the plastic to a recycling facility than the plastic is worth. Recycling is not the answer,” commented Gervais. The Westwood Recycling guidelines tell citizens to recycle their plastic bags at grocery stores, both Wegmans and Roche Bros have containers for them.

When asked if WEAC’s plans are for a plastic bag ban or for a fee to be charged when a plastic bag is used, Gervais stated “WEAC is currently gauging community feedback on a plastic bag ban. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be speaking with residents and businesses to understand both perspectives on the issue.” According to a February 2017 Huffington Post article, when stores in San Jose, CA began charging a fee for plastic bags, reusable bag usage went from four to 62%. Gervais said that community input will be considered when asked if Westwood would join other communities in only making a ban effective for stores over 2,500 sq feet to aid smaller businesses.

WEAC reports that they will be speaking with both Westwood resident and business owners to promote this issue. If you are a Westwood resident, please fill out the survey: here is the link.

Photo by Jo Lanta on Unsplash

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