By Lisa Moore
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
Keeping up with the growing trend of being “green,” Wellesley has joined over 20 Massachusetts communities that have banned the use of plastic carryout/shopping bags. The bag ban was proposed back in September of 2015, after the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal facility stopped collecting plastic bags for recycling. The ban, which was voted on and approved by the town, seeks to reduce the number of single use plastic bags used in town in an effort to decrease the negative impacts plastic bags have on marine and terrestrial animals and their ecosystems.
Plastic bags cause problems such as ingestion or entanglement issues for animals. As plastics, they release pollutants as they degrade, contaminating local ecosystems. Plastic bags are a nuisance, often being blown by the wind, getting caught in trees or ending up in streams and waterways. The bags were also difficult to handle at the town recycling facility, regularly clogging the gears of the baler equipment and being blown into the surrounding woodlands. In adapting this new town by-law, the citizens of Wellesley have taken a positive step forward in protecting the town’s unique natural beauty and fragile natural resources.
For stores in town of 3,500 sq. feet or larger, the ban goes into effect on January 25, 2017. For smaller stores, the ban takes effect on April 12. The new bylaw does not affect the use or distribution of plastic produce bags. As a way to support the new bylaw, the Natural Resources Commission partnered with Roach Brothers, Linden Square Wellesley, and the WHS Evolutions program to design and produce a reusable bag to make the change to plastic-free a smooth transition. The winning bag design was created by two WHS Evolutions students, Alison MacDougall and Caroline Green. The pair won a $1000 grant from Roach Brothers and Linden Square Wellesley that was presented to them at the Linden Square tree lighting ceremony, which they gave back to the community in the form of a donation of $500 to the Wellesley Food Pantry and $500 to Stray Pets in Need (SPIN).
As the new bag ban takes effect next month, Wellesley shoppers are urged to “BYOB” - that is, bring their own recyclable bags when shopping - and feel good in the knowledge that they are helping to build a greener and cleaner Wellesley.
