That is the subtext of the proposed ban on single-use plastic water bottles in Newton currently under consideration by the City Council’s Programs and Services Committee. The proposed ordinance, offered by Councilor Vicki Danberg (Ward 6, at-large) would expand upon Newton’s ban on the commercial use plastic bags to other non-recyclable, non-compostable items. Councilor Danberg, working with the ten-member Newton Sustainable Materials Management Commission, presented their “tweaked” version at the Programs and Services meeting on April 19.
Noting that Concord passed its plastic-water-bottle ban in 2012 — the first in the nation — and has since been joined by twenty-three other Massachusetts communities, Councilor Danberg underscored the Commission’s commitment to work with the businesses affected by the mandate. In a later conversation with Fig City News, Councilor Danberg noted that the proposed ban expanded the scope of Newton’s Revised Ordinances, 2017, amended in 2020. She said, “Half the population thinks you’re crazy and the other half are with you,” when trying to get rid of something people are used to. In addition to banning single-use plastic water bottles, the ordinance bans non-recyclable or reusable plastic take-out containers, particularly black plastic containers, which are made of metals such as cadmium. Acknowledging the economic concerns of food establishments — restaurants and pizzerias — Councilor Danberg explained that the ordinance would not be fully implemented until July 1, 2024 to give them time to use and replace their current inventory, “We picked water by design because it is easily available,” she said in answer to questions about the plastic bottle ban applying only to non-flavored tap and spring water. Councilor Danberg also proposed a ban on helium balloons, noting their harmful impact on animals and marine life.
Sustainable Materials Management Commission member Alan Gordon presented the newest version of the ordinance and, in answer to questions, responded that “single use” referred to containers of one liter or less and that aluminum containers are most recyclable. Boxed water is not allowed, he said, because it is not recyclable. Councilor Bill Humphrey (Ward 5) asked if the ban applied to Amazon, to which Councilor Danberg responded that Newton could not control Amazon and that it was possible for retailers to order banned plastic items online.
Amy Mistrot, Director of Business Operations for the Newton Public Schools (NPS), reported that the propose ban on single-use plastic water bottles will not pose a problem for the schools because it has only twenty-seven cases on hand, but reusable cutlery will need to be washed and might require more kitchen staff, although she felt that the NPS could meet the July 1, 2024 timeline.
Dr. Brita Lundberg, an Infectious Disease physician and chair of the Greater Boston chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, urged the City Council to pass the ordinance, explaining that plastics, composed of petrochemicals and other carcinogens, leach into the food and beverages they contain. The hotter the fluid or food, the greater the leaching, she said. Moreover, the petrochemical industry has been promoting the use of plastics.
Charles River Watershed Association Board President Tony Hicks noted that the ordinance was an “opportunity to act locally” to push back against industrial interests promoting plastics. Meryl Kessler, another member of Newton’s Sustainable Materials Management Commission, added that the measure “will bring the city closer to 100% of reuse and recycling.” Green Newton President Marcia Cooper suggested that the City install more water fountains in buildings, and Evan Michaelis, founder of Brimmer and May’s Recyclable Environmental Committee, said that that school’s students are working with the city to keep the environment clean. He said, “We must find a way to pass this ordinance.”
Speaking on behalf of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce Dining Coalition, Karen Masterson, owner of Johnny’s in Newton Center and Cabot’s in Newtonville, underscored her commitment to working with the City Council to educate the public. She explained that the ordinance posed challenges to restaurants, where water bottles are a “high margin item.” In a later conversation, she said that eliminating plastics was not as easy as it may seem. Customers want their takeout orders in attractive, non-leaking containers. If there were leaks, customers would go elsewhere. Among her suggestions were a citywide education campaign and the possibility that food establishments could purchase containers as a group, negotiating pricing with suppliers. She suggested that the City establish a reasonable timeline, requiring compliance with the ordinance in stages. Karl O’Hara, owner of Paddy’s in West Newton and O’Hara’s in Newton Highlands, was concerned that “we are rushing too fast.” He complained that he had a large takeout inventory and argued for more time for manufacturers to produce new products. Several speakers were afraid that Newton customers would go elsewhere if takeout products were not satisfactory or prices rose because of the change in products, and that small restaurants would not survive. Sunwoo Kahng, chair of the Sustainable Materials Management Commission, responded that there are two Newton food establishment already using recyclable, reusable containers and that in a recent trip to a Chinese restaurant in Brookline, her order came in white plastic containers the management purchased in Chinatown.
Councilor Julia Malakie (Ward 3) expressed a longtime frustration with black plastic since she eats “a lot of take out,“ noting “Everybody’s using black plastic,” which cannot be recycled. “In my perfect world, we could bring our own containers for takeout.” In response, Linda Walsh, R.N., Newton’s Health and Human Services Commissioner, confirmed that customers could bring their own containers for their own leftovers, but containers from home for takeout orders run afoul of the Food Service Code, which would require food establishment to wash them in their kitchens before filling them with food.
Regarding helium balloons, Sudesh Chumber, chair of the Coalition for Responsible Celebration, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, said the organization opposes release of balloons, advocating both weighting them to avoid their release and their responsible disposal. Amanda Capone, a balloon artist, opposed the ordinance, noting that balloons have nothing to do with food service. Banning helium balloons is not the answer because they are used in a limited way and they promote happiness, she concluded.
Councilor Danberg promised that her committee would consider the comments and concerns voiced at the meeting, noting that there was a lot of information to process. City Council President Susan Albright advised the committee to write to neighboring communities, urging them to adopt a similar ordinance so that customers would not leave Newton to patronize food establishments not governed by plastics bans. Councilor Emily Norton (Ward 2), Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, exhorted her colleagues not to go home and weaken on this. “Be bold,” she said.
The Committee voted to hold the motion.
Ed. Note: This article has been revised to correctly state the name of the Sustainable Materials Management Commission and the roles of Alan Gordon and Sunwoo Kahng on the Commission.
