To the Editor:
I’m appalled at our use of single-use disposable plastic. I shudder when I’m given a plastic lid on my coffee cup when drinking it in-house, when I’m expected to eat with plastic utensils in a sit-down restaurant, or am served ice cream in a plastic cup. Single-use plastic is an unnecessary use of petroleum, both in its manufacture and transportation, and clogs the landscape to a frightening degree.
I want to thank those who conceived of the plastic water bottle ban for making this a town issue.
But despite the above, I will be signing the petition to repeal the ban because I am convinced it is more symbolic than effective, puts an undue burden on local retailers, and was determined without sufficient education and deliberation. I also feel strongly that anything we enact should not divide the community but unite it.
We can, however, make the action of repealing the ban a beginning rather than an end. Let’s use the Special Town Meeting to brainstorm the many other ways we can approach this monumental issue. Let’s establish a committee (or committees) to research and bring forward more practical solutions to disposables, engaging the passionate high-schoolers who will be our best ambassadors to the businesses whose practices we hope to affect.
We can investigate the feasibility of installing water fountains without instituting the ban. We can ban plastic straws without harming local retailers who can replace them with paper. We can place notices on the shelves in stores where disposable wipes are sold, informing buyers of the burden on our waste system (and tax dollars) if these products are flushed. We can encourage (or legislate) the use of molded paper containers for take-out instead of plastic. We can encourage businesses to ask customers before giving them plastic utensils and cup lids. We can make it clear to restaurants that we want them to use washable utensils when customers are eating in. We can start an anti-litter campaign. These are just a few ideas and I’m sure there are hundreds more. Part of it is just raising an awareness which, thanks to our concerned citizens, has already begun.
Let’s all be involved, because it will take all of us.
Carol Diehl
Housatonic
