SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The City of Newton is pursuing an ordinance that aims to curb single-use plastic waste in the city.
The proposed ordinance would expand Section 12-72 of the city’s charter, “Sustainable Food Containers and Packaging Ordinance”, thus reducing the use of single-use plastic items. A recent meeting of the Programs and Services Committee had recently discussed the ordinance. The proponents of the ordinance stated that the city doesn’t intend to collect fine from people, but rather bring about positive behavioural changes in individuals and businesses to reduce the use of single-use plastic.
The ordinance intends to impose retail bans on a variety of plastic items typically used by restaurants, such as black plastic packaging, plastic water bottles, single-use plastic utensils, and plastic stirrers.
Meantime, Greg Reibman, the president of the Charles River Regional Chamber observed that it may not be reasonable for retailers to follow all parts of the ordinance. For instance, a ban on single-use dishware for dine-in eating could financially hurt businesses. The proposed retail ban on black plastic takeout containers would also be challenging, as it is difficult to acquire recyclable white plastic alternatives.
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