A group has been pushing for a plastic bag ban in Belmont, similar to ones in Arlington and Somerville. This ban would require merchants to use paper bags or reusable bags for shoppers to carry away their merchandise. By banning plastic shopping bags, it will improve marine habitats, (see links to research below) reduce litter, and recycling contamination. (They cannot be recycled curbside!)
Sustainable Belmont met in December prior to the formulation of the proposed ban policy and voted to “support a ban that would preferably reduce carbon emissions.” Banning plastic bags will increase the use of paper bags. Carbon emissions, water and air pollution are many times greater with paper bags than with plastic. (see links to research below) Paper shopping bags can be reduced by charging a nominal fee. This is the kind of ban Cambridge and Boston (to be implemented later this year) have in place. Anyone who’s shopped in Cambridge has been asked, “would you like to buy a paper bag?” This simple question changes behavior–as many of us will remember to bring our own bags. However, this nominal fee is not part of the proposed plastic shopping bag ban for Belmont.
Being an environmentalist these days is often not clear cut. Where ever you stand on this issue, you should let your precinct town meeting members know your views prior to May’s Town Meeting.
For more information on how plastic litter harms the environment:
Rochman, Tanaka and Takada (2016),Sussarellu et al, (2015) Derraik (2002)
For more information on the environmental impacts of plastic vs. paper bags:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-carryout-bag-fees-are-better-than-plastic-bag-bans_us_588187ace4b08f5134b61f79
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2011/dec/20/paper-plastic-bags-which-best
http://use-less-stuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Paper-and-Plastic-Grocery-Bag-LCA-Summary-3-28-08.pdf
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2011/environment/3611.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291023/scho0711buan-e-e.pdf
http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/upload/resources/publications/plastic-bag-phase-out/LCA_shopping_bags_full_report[2]_2.pdf
http://cascade.uoregon.edu/fall2012/expert/expert-article/