If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

When most people toss a plastic bottle or cup into the recycling bin, they assume that means the plastic is recycled – but a new report lays bare how rarely that actually happens.

According to the Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics, the organization behind the report released on Wednesday, the recycling rate for post-consumer plastic was just 5% to 6% in 2021.

The Department of Energy also released a research paper this week, which analyzed data from 2019, and came to the same number: only 5% of plastics are being recycled. The researchers on that report wrote that landfilled plastic waste in the United States has been on the rise for many reasons, including “low recycling rates, population growth, consumer preference for single-use plastics, and low disposal fees in certain parts of the country”, according to a press release.

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/04/us-recycling-plastic-waste 

Last Beach Cleanup & Beyond Plastics report -> 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62726edceb7cc742d53eb073/1651666652743/The+Real+Truth+about+the+U.S.+Plastic+Recycling+Rate+2021+Facts+and+Figures+_5-4-22.pdf

Dept of Energy report ->    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344922002087?via%3Dihub

 

If all we get is 5%, maybe it is time to ask what can we do better?

In the News: plastic bag prohibition on for November 1

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With the green light given for reusable bags to return to stores, Franklin’s plastic bag ban is back on track and scheduled to take effect this fall. 

The local ban, adopted by the Town Council early in the year, was originally slated to begin July 1. It was temporarily put on hold in late March after Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order disallowing use of carry-in, reusable shopping bags -- action taken to help prevent the possibility of spreading the virus. 

Now that reusable bags have been cleared by the state to be used once again, Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said local stores can seek a three-month waiver from the town in order to give them time to prepare for the local plastic bag ban. The clock starts ticking on Aug. 1, making the Franklin bylaw officially effective on Nov. 1. 

“A letter went out to licensees last week” alerting them to the re-start of the bylaw timeline, he said via email on Monday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200723/franklin-ban-on-plastic-bags-back-on-track-to-begin-this-fall/1?rssfeed=true

Approved in Feb 2020, halted by the pandemic the bag prohibition is now set for Nov 1.

Feb 2020 approval
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/town-council-meeting-feb-12-2020-recap.html

July delay
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/07/plastic-bag-prohibition-effective-date.html

In the News: plastic bag prohibition on for November 1

In the News: expect a start date for plastic bag prohibition now that reusable bags are Ok

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Reusable bags have been cleared to return to checkout lines in Massachusetts, with a previous ban now removed in the latest round of Baker administration guidance affecting grocery stores.

On Friday, Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel rescinded a pair of earlier orders that laid out required precautions for grocery stores to safely operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the rescission notice, Bharel said the two orders’ “COVID-19 reduction strategies” were now incorporated into the economic reopening safety standards for retail businesses that Gov. Charlie Baker issued in June."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200713/reusable-bags-allowed-again-in-grocery-stores

If you recall that the Town of Franklin just had an announcement last week about the delay in the plastic bag prohibition, your memory is good. We shared the following on Wednesday. So we can expect a formal start date announcement sometime (soon?).

"In late March, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker banned reusable bags and lifted local bans on plastic bags at grocery stores and pharmacies as part of his administration's steps to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.

To comply with this order the Town of Franklin is delaying the start of the plastic bag prohibition which was originally slated to go into effect July 1st, 2020.

The Plastic Bag Prohibition will go into effect when the Governor lifts the ban on reusable bags, once the ban is lifted the Town will send out a notification with a formal start date for the plastic bag prohibition to begin. "

Shared from the Town of Franklin page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/update-plastic-bag-prohibition

 

In the News: expect a start date for plastic bag prohibition now that reusable bags are Ok

In the News: West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes; plastic bag prohibition delayed for Franklin

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"About 15 minutes after the House of Representatives voted unanimously to give the executive branch new powers to run a statewide mosquito control response when the threat of mosquito-related diseases is high, public health officials announced that West Nile virus has been found in a Massachusetts mosquito for the first time this year. 

Two mosquitoes collected Tuesday in Belmont tested positive for West Nile virus, the Department of Public Health said, and no human or animal cases have been identified. 

There were five human cases of West Nile virus last year and 49 in 2018, the greatest number of cases Massachusetts has ever seen in a single year. 

West Nile can infect people of all ages, but people over age 50 and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for severe disease, according to the state."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200709/west-nile-detected-as-house-passes-mosquito-control-bill

"Earlier this year, town officials put the word out that Franklin would be banning the use of thin-film, single-use plastic shopping bags at local stores, starting in July. That was before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The town’s plastic bag ban has now been temporarily shelved. 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the delayed start of the ban is because of Gov. Charlie Baker’s late March order prohibiting the use of carry-in, reusable shopping bags while the pandemic is ongoing, to prevent the spread of the virus. All existing local bans on plastic bags were also lifted statewide. 

“Our local bylaw was to go into effect July 1, but with the governor’s order, we cannot implement the new bylaw yet,” Hellen said Tuesday. “Once he rescinds that order, we will allow for a certain time of compliance after that. That said, the bylaw is active, but is trumped by the state executive order.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200709/franklin-delays-start-of-plastic-bags-ban

Plastic Bag Prohibition - effective date delayed

In late March, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker banned reusable bags and lifted local bans on plastic bags at grocery stores and pharmacies as part of his administration's steps to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. 

To comply with this order the Town of Franklin is delaying the start of the plastic bag prohibition which was originally slated to go into effect July 1st, 2020. 

The Plastic Bag Prohibition will go into effect when the Governor lifts the ban on reusable bags, once the ban is lifted the Town will send out a notification with a formal start date for the plastic bag prohibition to begin. 


Shared from the Town of Franklin page:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/update-plastic-bag-prohibition

Plastic Bag Prohibition - effective date delayed

Town Council meeting of Feb 5, 2020 - Recap

Quick summary:

• Randy LaRosa appointed to Historical Commission
• beer/wine license approved for Maks
• Community Preservation Act presentation and discussion
• first pass at the capital budget was approved

Community Preservation Act Adoption 20200130 from Franklin Matters

Audio segment - Community Preservation Act (Audio)
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-203-community-preservation-act-feb-5.html

My notes reported live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Town Administrator's Report to Closing

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-administrators.html

• Live reporting: Legislation for Action

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

• Live reporting: License transaction - Norfolk County Sheriff - CPA

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-license-transaction.html

• Live reporting: Town Council - Feb 5, 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-town-council-feb-5-2020.html

Attention Franklin: Plastic Bag Prohibition Bylaw

Plastic Bag Prohibition Bylaw

Please find the letter sent to Franklin businesses regarding the recently adopted Plastic Bag Prohibition Bylaw here 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/letter_to_businesses_regarding_plastic_bag_prohibition.pdf


Note: This bylaw was passed after two readings and a long process of effort by the FHS students who picked up where their classmates efforts left off in 2016-2017. Kudos to the students for their civic engagement in a constructive and informative manner.

From my notes reported live during the Feb 12, 2020 meeting of the Town Council

"10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw 20-847 As Amended: New Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 20-847 As Amended: Chapter 130, Plastic Checkout Bag Prohibition - Majority Roll Call Vote)

motion to waive reading, seconded, passed 8-0

FHS students introduce themselves

motion to adopt as amended, seconded, passed 7-1 (Earls voted no via roll call)"

 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/live-reporting-legislation-for-action_12.html

Council Chair Tom Mercer reading the proclamation made to recognize the FHS students