To the editor:
Greetings to GB voters.
We respectfully request your vote at Town Meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Monument High School. Please vote NO on Article 28 which again seeks to repeal our plastic bottle bylaw, now in effect.
The bylaw eliminates the sale of non-sparkling, unflavored water in single-use PET plastic bottles, 1 liter or smaller. These small bottles are the most popular size sold, and we have a readily available water substitute – our well-tested, potable tap water.
Most of our plastic waste gets packed into landfills, burned, or ends up in the environment as litter and in waterways and oceans. Less than a third of PET plastic bottles are recycled. To quote the manager of the recycling plant in Springfield: “With rising costs and China closing its doors, the bottom is falling out of the recycling industry.”
Our committee has funded three new water stations for GB and Housatonic, to be installed this summer. In addition, 28 merchants, displaying a decal, will welcome you, filling your water bottle upon request. No taxpayer money will be used. See our full website.
GB is part of a growing, worldwide movement. We urge you to vote NO on this article and keep this bylaw. Please attend Town Meeting!
Jennifer Clark
Anni Crofut
Wendy Kleinman
Marcia Arland
Marj Wexler
The writers are members of the Environment Committee of the Berkshire Women’s Action Group.
