BREAKING: POLYSTYRENE (STYROFOAM) CUPS AND CONTAINERS BANNED FROM GLOUCESTER (Edited)

Plastic: Pick It Up Club Kids Lotus, Pilar, Atticus, Meadow, and Frieda

The proposed ban on the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and containers in the City of Gloucester passed City Council by a vote of seven to two. Voting in favor were Councilors Melissa Cox, Sean Nolan, Scott Memhard, Valerie Gilman, Jamie O’hara, Paul Lundberg, and Joe Ciolino. Voting in opposition were Councilors Joe Orlando and Steve LeBlanc. The ban will be fully implemented in January 2019.

The vote on banning single use plastic grocery bags will come again before the City Council in October, with some slight wording changes to the petition.

Ainsley Smith of Gloucester’s Clean City Commission wishes to thank all who came to the meeting last night in support of the ban and thanks everyone for all that they have done, and are continuing to do, on behalf of the citizens of Gloucester and their efforts to make Gloucester a clean city.

Really proud of our neighborhood kids for having the courage to come before the City Council.

Terrific turnout at the City Council meeting to ban plastic single use bags and polystyrene to go cups and containers.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO BAN SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS AND POLYSTYRENE

Please join the Gloucester Clean City Commission, Councilors Melissa Cox and Sean Nolan, and Seaside Sustainability, Inc. in supporting a ban in Gloucester on all single use plastic bags and polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers like coffee cups and takeout food containers.

PLEASE SIGN HERE

We believe this initiative is important in maintaining the beauty of our city and the health of our ocean and land. Given the availability of biodegradable and reusable alternatives and the economic benefits of the proposed ban, we anticipate support from Gloucester’s residents and businesses.

This proposed ban is similar to those already passed in dozens of cities and towns in Massachusetts (and counting) including our neighbors Ipswich, Manchester, Marblehead, and Newburyport. Cities and towns (and entire states – Hawaii) along the coast line of our country have been particularly vigilant in creating this ban.  Just between 2015 and 2016, bills similar to ours were proposed in 23 states regarding the regulation of single use plastic bags and/or polystyrene.  In a recent investigation of Gloucester Harbor using an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle), observers reported an abundant amount of plastic bags and Styrofoam cups on the ocean floor.

There are economic and feasible alternatives to these products that all businesses, large and small can stand behind and support!

This petition will be delivered to:

• City of Gloucester, MA Mayor’s Office
  Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
• City of Gloucester, Office
  Councilor Sean Nolan
• City of Gloucester, Councilwoman
  Councilor Melissa Cox