Another Cape Cod Town Bans Single-Use Plastic Water Bottle Sales

MASHPEE, MA — Mashpee became the latest Cape Cod community to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in town, following a razor-thin vote at town meeting.

The article passed 104 to 102 on Monday night, making Mashpee the 11th town in Barnstable County to adopt a commercial ban on single-use plastic water bottles.

On Sept. 1, neighboring Falmouth also banned the sale of single-use water bottles. According to Sustainable Practices, the organization that spearheaded the ban, Brewster, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Chatham, Sandwich, Dennis and Wellfleet have all adopted bans as well.

Several town meeting voters expressed their support for the article, citing the effects plastic pollution has on the beach's and the Cape Cod environment at large.

"Over 1,500 single-use plastic water bottles are used and discarded in the U.S. per second, the petition wrote in an explanation of the article. "Elimination of single-use water bottles will have a significant impact on future plastic-based pollution including the nation's greenhouse gas footprint and is consistent with protection of the natural environment in Mashpee, Barnstable County, our nation and our earth, which we have a common responsibility to protect and steward, or to take any other action relating thereto."

Others, including the Mashpee Finance Committee, opposed the measure, saying it will hurt the town's tourist economy, the Cape Cod Times reported.

"The key is to stop polluting," committee member Patrick Brady said. "Don’t tell people how to live."

Enforcement

The town manager will enforce the ban and determine the inspection process for local businesses.

Businesses that do not comply with the new bylaw are subject to fines of up to $300 a day, depending on the number of violations. First-time violators will get a written warning. Second-time offenders will face a $150 fine, and third and all subsequent offenses will cost businesses $300 a day.