Swampscott Styrofoam Ban, Plastic Container Restrictions Up For Debate

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Months after withdrawing a town meeting warrant article banning styrofoam food containers in favor of developing a more comprehensive plan toward single-use plastic use in Swampscott, the town's Solid Waste Advisory Committee will put forth that initial draft plan for a public discussion next week.

The plan, which would ban styrofoam and other non-recyclable food containers when food is prepared on-site as well as provide other single-use utensils and condiments on a per-request-only basis, will be discussed at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Swampscott High School ahead of a planned inclusion on an upcoming special town meeting warrant.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee Chair Wayne Spritz said the comprehensive policy was developed by gathering information on similar restrictions in other Massachusetts cities and towns and reviewing the most recent acceptable standards.

Under the proposal, which can be found in full here, restaurants will be able to continue to use plastics deemed "highly recyclable" as well as other items made from recyclable material as long as recycling receptacles are available on-site and the establishment contracts for recycling services, and those items are not the color black.

Restaurants may provide single-use utensils and condiment containers — typically foil-based — only upon request. Single-use plastic straws are already banned in Swampscott.

Styrofoam and other non-recyclable plastic items would be prohibited.

The new bylaw would apply to food prepared on-site and not to stores selling pre-packaged items. Exemptions could be made for "hardship" cases where there is no alternative packaging available, pharmacy containers and items distributed during a public emergency.

"Our next step is to determine the best course for our town," Spritz said in a letter to the community. "One that both accomplishes the objectives of waste reduction and is workable for businesses that serve our community.

"It is extremely important that we understand these impacts and appropriately account for them before a final draft is sent to a special town meeting at the end of this year."

Email and public feedback can be sent to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee at swac1@swampscottma.gov.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)