ReThink Plastic
The reusable shopping bag that the ReThink Plastic group is distributing to all households in Watertown for the beginning of the new Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance. The brochure handed to businesses are also shown.
On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Watertown’s Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will take effect, meaning that single-use plastic bags will no longer be given out by stores. The group that originally proposed the new rules will provide free bags to residents and has spread the word about the new ordinance.
The ordinance first came to the Town Council from the ReThink Plastic citizen’s group more than four years ago. The Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee worked with members of ReThink Plastic to draft the ordinance that was ultimately approved by the Town Council in June 2016.
“The Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will help make Watertown a healthier place to live and will help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the Charles River and in our trees and parks,” said ReThink Plastic member Eileen Ryan.
The bags are not recyclable, and end up in trees, the Charles River and ultimately the ocean where they can harm or even kill animals.
The original proposal called for starting the ban on plastic bags six months after approval, but the Council voted to delay it for 12 months to this July.
While the ordinances bans the use of the thin plastic bags, not all bags are banned. Bulk candy, produce, dry-cleaner, and newspaper bags will not be banned, according to Ryan, who added, “Retail establishments and restaurants can provide recyclable paper bags, some biodegradable bags, and reusable bags for a fee, if they wish to do so.”
In addition, ReThink Plastic has been working to get a free reusable canvas shopping bag to every household in Watertown, Ryan said. The bag features
Watertown Savings Bank sponsored the initial purchase and printing of over 2,000 sturdy canvas bags, Ryan said, and the Town of Watertown is sponsoring the purchase and printing of an additional 2,000 bags.
“We distributed them to all the elementary schools in town, to the Senior Center and the Boys & Girls Club,” Ryan said. “They will be available for pickup at the Watertown Library in early July. They will also be available at the Farmers Market. Bags will also be distributed at the Watertown Housing Authority and the Watertown Food Pantry, among other places.”
Watertown Bring Your Own Bag brochure by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd
The bags and a brochure handed out to businesses were designed by ReThink Plastic member and Watertown artist Leslie Evans. Members of the ReThink Plastic group have also gone around to businesses to explain the new ordinance, said member Joan Blaustein.
“Though some opposed the ordinance, generally there was support,” Blaustein said.
If a business violates the ban the ordinance allows the Town to fine the business $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for the third more more offense. However, there is a grace period for businesses of 6 months so they can use up the remaining stock of single-use plastic bags.
Watertown joins is one of 54 communities in Watertown that have similar ordinances, including neighboring communities of Newton and Cambridge. The State Legislature is also considering a bill that would eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags statewide.
“Watertown joins many communities in the United States and countries around the world that recognize that the overuse of plastic bags and packaging is a global problem affecting our health and environment,” Ryan said.
This is long overdue. The plastic bags are an environmental nightmare. There is a huge floating island of them in the Pacific. Living near the 7 Eleven, they also wind up in my bushes. Can’t wait to get my Watertown bag.
How do you get a bag?
In early July they will have them at the Library.
Thank you Watertown for reducing the amount of plastic ending up in the Charles River and ultimately in the oceans! Easy to bring your own bag.
Congrats Watertown for a job we’ll done – your free bag initiative as a useful way to advertise the program – and love the graphic design! Also love your brochure>
We should consider a free bag program in Newton!
I went to the library to get a bag and they knew nothing about them
The group said they will be there in “early July.” I guess you will have to check back later. If I hear about it I will spread the word.
There should be bags at the library by Friday.