Plastic Bags… Why Go Green?
Ted Hoffstatter
This past year, the Town of Westport passed an ordinance banning plastic retail checkout bags. To clarify, this ordinance only applies to the bags you get when you checkout of an establishment, not those used for deli, produce – or the cleaners, a frame shop, etc. – there are common sense exceptions.
Why bother? How can one town matter? Although the plastic garbage patch twice the size of Texas, which sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, seems so far away, and colossal in size compared to the Town of Wilton, we can still make a difference.
While our garbage in Connecticut is incinerated, many retail bags seem to escape the fire, and end up in the Norwalk River, and then Long Island Sound. That hits home. But it’s also about the bigger picture. With the plastic lobby as strong as it is, it is very difficult for a state or federal branch of government to pass legislation with a real effect on reducing the amount of plastic that finds its way into our waterways, and eventually, our oceans.
For Wilton, It’s Mission Possible
An Ocean Turtle Struggles with a Deadly Plastic Bag
While this may seem to be mission impossible at the state and federal levels, this is not an impossible mission for municipalities. Meaningful change can really come from the grass roots. Furthermore, this effort crosses party lines. The ordinance in Westport passed the RTM 25-5-1, with widespread support from Republicans and Democrats. The ordinance was also supported by the Westport Chamber of Commerce as well as the Downtown Merchants’ Association.
Environmentally & Fiscally Responsible
Wait… it gets better. The ordinance does not cost the taxpayer! The ordinance has been in effect for six months, and there have been no legal challenges; no violations. Businesses also have a grace period to use the plastic bags they have already purchased. Enforcement is not a burden.
If we can help this effort to catch fire, that would be very meaningful. We have a unique opportunity here in Wilton to take a leadership role in a major environmental issue that affects all of us. We are in a very tough budget year; the good news is that this step forward does not cost us any money, just a small amount of time and effort.
Attend the Board of Selectman Meeting to Learn More
This issue will appear as an agenda item at our Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday, February 1st, at 7:30pm. Jonathan Cunitz, a member of the Westport RTM and mastermind of the Westport ordinance, will give a presentation. Please attend! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or phone at (203) 451-5049.
Ted Hoffstatter
Member, Board of Selectman
