Letter to the Editor: Vote ‘no’ on undoing plastic bag reduction bylaw

Last June, the Town of Athol voted overwhelmingly to pass a plastic bag reduction bylaw. Since then, people in town, and others who come to shop in Athol, have made great strides in adopting the easy and common sense habit of bringing one’s own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. Now, however, this progress is being challenged by Article 32 on the June 11 Town Meeting warrant, which seeks to rescind our successful plastic bag reduction bylaw.

Reducing our profligate use and disposal of plastics is more urgent than ever since markets for recyclable waste are shrinking. In addition, as only a very small percentage of plastic bags are recycled, most bags will, at some point, end up in the environment where they will eventually break down to harmful microplastics, contaminating our soils, streams, rivers, oceans, wildlife and food chain.

To learn more about the toxicological threats of plastic, and what you can do to prevent trash from the source, visit the EPA website: bit.ly/2sNwqlL

First on the EPA’s list of “What You Can Do” is “Bring your own bag.”

Athol voters, please attend Town Meeting on Monday, June 11, and vote “NO!” on Article 32, which seeks to take us a step backward in our efforts to reduce harmful plastics in the environment.

Susan Paju

Athol