To the editor:
Plastic bags and their contribution to the pollution of our oceans has deadly consequences for our wildlife and our environment. Massachusetts residents have already shown that they care about limiting and banning the use of plastic bags. At least 95 local laws or ordinances banning the use of plastic bags have already been enacted, but for a true united movement against plastic bags and how they negatively impact our recreation, tourism, and fishing industries, we must ban plastic bags entirely.
A bill proposed by Rep. Pignatelli of Lenox this year may be the statewide change in policy we need to fully phase plastic bags out of use in the state of Massachusetts. A statewide ban would be the logical next step to unite the patchworks of plastic bag ban legislation that already exists. If you are able, contact your local representatives and ask them to support 2021 Bill H. 992. Having multiple Massachusetts representatives support this act reducing plastic bag pollution could be the next big step in climate change policy — not just in Massachusetts, but in the entire United States.
Nicole Alvarez
Williamstown
