Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella writes:
On January 1, Westport’s single-use plastics ordinance becomes law.
Single-use plastic items such as straws, stirrers, plates, cups, to-go containers, and all expanded polystyrene products will be banned from distribution to patrons at food establishments in town. (Plastic straws will still be available to people who are handicapped, disabled, or suffer from an illness whose effects are eased by the use of a plastic straw).
The RTM’s objective was to reduce our carbon footprint and lead by example for other municipalities, reduce frivolously distributed products, expand inventory lifespan of products for food establishments, and reduce expenses.
The process began in May 2019, when the RTM unanimously passed a single-use plastic ban on food establishments. We are leading 46 other states, along with cities in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Our intent was to lead with perseverance, ease, and informative alternatives to make the transition smooth.
Andrew Colabella (right) is interviewed about Westport’s single-use plastics ban.
Some plastic products will not be covered under this ordinance, such as lids and utensils. There are no readily available, cost-effective alternatives.
This allows food establishments to explore on their own, and implement their own best practices toward sustainability.
Establishments throughout town have already started switching over. However, all establishments have leftover product that they are allowed to use past January 1.
It would be inappropriate to force establishments to throw out products that can still be used. Please be patient and respectful as we all work together to make the transition.
The transition will take time. There is a form that any food establishment can use to be granted time to transition. Most have already done so.
A lot of franchises have already introduced innovative products in the holiday season.
Some newer products look and feel like plastic. They’re not. They are a polylactic acid (PLA) material that is a plant/leaf-associated product that, when disposed of properly, breaks down quickly leaving no harmful traces behind.
If disposed of improperly, it will biodegrade and have no adverse effect on the environment.
Unlike plastic it contains no benzene or styrene, which are carcinogenic products. It is made from a renewable resource, not petroleum-based like plastic.
We are fortunate to live in state where landfills no longer exist for solid waste. Our solid waste is transported to Bridgeport, where it is burned to generate electricity through a turbine system, converting smoke into steam and one ton of soot a year.
Out of 78 million metric tons of plastic produced yearly, only 14% is recycled. At one time countries like China, India, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia purchased our plastic recyclables. These created floating garbage islands.
Single-use plastics are seldom recycled.
Westport has always led the East Coast in the fight against harmful products for consumers. Our town advocates for education, innovation, safety, and reducing waste fiscally and physically.
I extend a big thank you on behalf of my co-sponsors, P3, the Conservation Commission, Sustainable Westport, the selectwomen’s office, Nick Bamonte, town operations director Tom Kiely, and the Aspetuck Health District for supporting and implementing real legislation in action.
For more information on the Westport legislation, click here.
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