Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA. --On Thursday, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Massachusetts Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 2830, the Plastics Reduction Act. In a 38-2 vote, Senators agreed to pass the bill guaranteed to protect the environment by limiting the usage of wasteful single-use plastics. The Act will ban carry-out plastic bags and black plastic containers, stop state purchases of single-use plastic bottles, make restaurant food service accessories like utensils and straws optional, and result in the creation of a new statewide program to recycle large plastic objects.
Read more on Single-Use Plastics Here.
In 2022, Massachusetts disposed of 900,000 tons of plastic. By reducing the usage of single-use plastic, Massachusetts will greatly decrease the prevalence of non-biodegradable PET and other plastic pollutants in the state’s landfills. A cut to single-use plastic bottles will mean less risk of wildlife exposure to dangerous litter across the state’s land and waterways. It will also help to protect Massachusetts residents and families from ingesting the potentially harmful microplastic particles that plastic degrades into.
While S. 2830 bans state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles, over 25 Massachusetts towns and cities have already adopted municipal or retail bans since the Town of Concord adopted the country's first retail bottled water ban in 2012.
Notably, 30 Massachusetts Senators rejected an amendment meant to weaken the bill by making the bill’s required fee on recycled paper bags optional for retailers.
“Today, state leaders have chosen to take a big step toward reducing waste and protecting our neighbors and local wildlife from the dangers of excessive plastic usage,” said Sierra Club Massachusetts State Political Director Jess Nahigian. “Plastics harm our ecosystems and communities. Cutting down on plastics is a necessary step toward achieving our state climate goals and creating a more sustainable home for future generations of Massachusetts residents. This is an important and vital step in plastic reduction, and Sierra Club Massachusetts encourages the Massachusetts House to pass this bill.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.