Massachusetts Senate Acts to Ban Plastic Bags, Reduce Straw and Plasticware Usage, Boost Recycling and Composting

Measures would reduce plastic waste, a major threat to the environment, climate goals, and public health

Boston — Dean of the Massachusetts Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) announces that the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation that builds on the state’s climate and environmental leadership by banning single-use plastic bags, making straws and plasticware available by request only, and making it easier to recycle.

“We have increasingly seen the dangers that plastic waste has had on everything, from the water we drink to the food we eat to the air we breathe,” said Senator Pacheco. “This bill includes crucial measures that will protect the Commonwealth’s environment and public health now and in the future.”

S.2830, An Act to Reduce Plastic, aims to drastically reduce plastic waste that is too often found in streets and waterways—and too often fills landfills and disposal sites—ultimately harming the environment in Massachusetts communities and contributing to global climate change.

The legislation will prohibit carry-out plastic bags at retail stores statewide and require stores to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags, five cents of which will be allocated to environmental protection measures. The bill provides a limited exemption from the requirement to collect 10 cents for small local retailers. As of May 2023, 162 Massachusetts cities and towns, making up nearly 70% of the state’s population, already regulated single-use plastic bags.

The bill will also prevent plastic utensils and straws from automatically being given to consumers, prohibit single-use plastic bottle purchases by state agencies, and increase statewide bulk plastic recycling by creating a statewide program for the recycling of large plastic objects, such as car seats.

“These measures to reduce the amount of plastic used in our daily lives are small changes that can translate to big impacts in terms of reducing plastic waste here in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Pacheco.

Another measure found in the bill requires non-flushable wipes to be clearly labeled with “Do Not Flush” warnings to prevent disruptions to the Commonwealth’s sewer system, aiming to reduce the $10 million annually in avoidable costs directly caused by the flushing of non-flushable wipes.

The bill also contains measures to boost composting, the natural recycling of organic food scraps and materials, by directing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to submit a report on the Commonwealth’s progress toward expanding access to composting. It also establishes a new commission to make recommendations on ways in which the state can encourage or require businesses to support recycling efforts for the products that they produce.

The legislation passed by a vote of 38-2 and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.