On August 9, 2017

Why no plastic bag ban in Vermont?

Dear Editor,

I recently learned that no Vermont town has a plastic bag ban. Given that Vermont has been an environmental leader since the 70s, I was surprised and disappointed.

After living for 35 years in Vermont, my husband and I moved to Lee, Massachusetts in 2011, to be closer to grandchildren. We chose the Berkshires because it is so similar to Vermont.

After our move, I joined the Lee Greener Gateway Committee. In 2015, the committee started the process of writing 2 bylaws for consideration at our 2016 Town Meeting: a plastic bag and Styrofoam ban. About 24  Massachusetts towns already had plastic bag and/or Styrofoam bans. We presented drafted bylaws to our Selectboard, held public hearings, and contacted local media. Using community input, the final drafts of the two bylaws were passed. Businesses and community members were given a year to comply. The committee assisted with pamphlets for businesses and consumers, posters for businesses, and reminders in utility bills.

Our committee has promoted consumer use of reusable bags. With grants, we commissioned a student to create a Lee logo for a cloth bag, which businesses sell. We gave these bags to the food pantry, WIC program, and senior citizens. We have also sponsored “gently used reusable bag” swaps at our library and Farmers Market.

Now, 55 Massachusetts towns have plastic bag bans. The state legislature is working on a statewide ban. I strongly encourage Vermont town officials, and those in surrounding towns, to pursue a ban.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. uses 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make them.

If we all do our part to reduce this source of littering, ocean pollution, and drain on resources, our Earth will be healthier, as will future generations.

Valerie Bluhm, Lee, Mass.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Sen. Williams—we will not ‘get over it’

January 15, 2025
Dear Editor, The new vice-chair of Senate Natural Resources, Terry Williams, kicked off the legislative session with a rude and dismissive response to a constituent’s concerns about trapping. A constituent wrote Williams a polite, lengthy email outlining various concerns with trapping—Williams’ response: “Get over it...” Sure, Williams lists trapping as one of his recreational pastimes on the Legislature’s…

Vermont’s housing crisis: A call for decisive action

January 15, 2025
By Miro Weinberger Editor’s note: Miro Weinberger is a former mayor of Burlington (2012-2024) and a former affordable housing developer. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Taubman Center. Abundant housing is the cornerstone of an affordable, vibrant, and inclusive Vermont. Yet today, that vision of our beloved state is at risk…

Vaccines are our lifeboats

January 15, 2025
Dear Editor, Dreaded diseases that we have forgotten about because vaccines have eliminated them are threatening to return. Along with public health and sanitation efforts, vaccines are the single most lifesaving interventions in the history of medicine. Before vaccines, 10% of infants were dying of what are now preventable diseases; 30%-40% of children did not…

Overcomplicated or simple, the message must still deliver

January 15, 2025
Dear Editor, Since the November election, many Vermont Democrats have been reflecting on the results and lessons learned. To some, a significant problem was messaging. A funny thing about Democrats is that we often can’t stop explaining everything. “If only we could explain [insert idea/program/policy here] in a way that people could really understand, they…