On September 18, after an extensive debate regarding ordinance language about helium balloons, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the City’s Sustainable Containers, Packaging, and Single Use Ordinance to further reduce the distribution of single-use plastics. (See Fig City News article on how some businesses are moving ahead in this area.)
As previously reported, the amended ordinance will go into effect in March 2024 and will reduce the use of single-use plastics in these ways:
- All retail stores that sell single-use dishware and packing materials must ensure that the items are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
- Full-service, sit-down restaurants must use reusable dishware.
- All food establishments that distribute takeout food, and drink )in amounts (larger than 4 ounces) must do so in dishware and containers that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
- All food establishments must provide single-use accessory items only upon request or at self-service stations.
- The City of Newton, including Newton Public Schools, must serve prepared food and drinks in dishware and containers that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable and may distribute condiment packages only upon request.
At issue at the City Council meeting was language that had been removed by the Programs and Services Committee regarding the intentional release of helium balloons. The language had been amended to say “intentional release of helium balloons is strongly discouraged.” Ward 5 Councilor Bill Humphrey placed the item on second call to reinsert the original proposed language that explicitly prohibits the intentional release of helium-filled balloons.
Programs and Services Chair Josh Krintzman explained that the language had been removed due to concerns raised by Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh regarding the difficulty of enforcing this provision equitably. Councilor Laredo said that while he appreciates that the prohibition may be difficult to enforce, he did not think it was appropriate to have ordinance language that says the City “substantially discourages.” He said “Either you can do something or you can’t do something,” and he moved to strike the “strongly discourage” language.
Ward 5 At-Large Councilor Deb Crossley did not support adding the language back in. While she commended the efforts to put the ordinance together, she said enforcement is important and the City has to be reasonable in what to enforce, as a first step.
The lead sponsor of the item, Ward 6 At-Large Councilor Vicki Danberg, reported that this has been a two-year effort including meetings with the Mayor, Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh, Economic Development Director John Sisson, members of the City’s Law Department, the Charles River Regional Chamber, Newton Wellesley Hospital, and area restaurants. She said, “What we did in removing the provision that banned the sale and distribution of helium balloons [was] to get to yes with the department in charge of enforcing this.” She acknowledged Councilor Laredo’s concerns and accepted striking the “strongly discourage” language and urged the Council to vote on whether to reinsert the “intentional release” language, saying she would like to see a unanimous vote to approve the item.
The motion to strike the language passed 14 – 8 (Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, and Lipof with 2 absent (Markiewicz and Norton).
The Council voted unanimously (with 2 absent – Markiewicz and Norton) to approve the ordinance. (Watch the NewTV video beginning at 1:56:14)
