Ban Plastic Bags in Fairhaven, MA!

Surfrider MA volunteers in Fairhaven, MA have teamed up with other local activists to pass a Single-Use Plastics Reduction Bylaw covering plastic bags, polystyrene, and requiring certain disposable items to only be provided upon request

May 2023 Update:

Article 21 passed with overwhelming support at Fairhaven’s 2023 Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 6^th 2023!

Per local reports, the survey results of local businesses and the Board of Health’s co-sponsorship were decisive factors in this campaign victory!

This result is the culmination of over 3 years of hard work and will result in the banning of most thin film plastic checkout bags and polystyrene foodservice ware in town. Furthermore, single-use plastic straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and cutlery will only be provided in Town upon request.

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Proposals to 1) Authorize the town to petition the legislature for a minimum charge on checkout bags, 2) Restrict polystyrene, and 3) Restrict the distribution of disposable plastic food service items were first raised in 2020, inspired by similar bylaws that Surfrider MA had advocated for in other Massachusetts communities.

2021 Update:

While the Petition for a minimum charge on checkout bags was successfully authorized at Fairhaven’s 2021 Town Meeting, the other pieces of the proposal were initially met with concerns from members of the community and the Board of Health, especially about potential impacts on business.

In response, Surfrider volunteers and local activists are carrying out an extensive outreach campaign to local restaurants and retailers, which includes a series of surveys. This business outreach is also being coupled with “Plastic Free July” eco-challenges for the community and beach cleanups in partnership with a South Coast organization Be the Solution to Pollution. These events and the survey for businesses are also being advertised in the local media like the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.

2022 Update:

 After presenting the results of a community business survey and summaries of relevant peer-reviewed research, the Fairhaven Board of Health has reversed its previous decision and voted to co-sponsor these plastic pollution proposals!

April 2023 Update:

 The measures on reducing pollution from polystyrene, plastic bags, and making disposable plastic straws, etc. available only upon request have been redrafted and submitted for Fairhaven’s 2023 Town Meeting as a single comprehensive plastic pollution article.

After review of the signatures for submission, this comprehensive article has been added to the 2023 Town Meeting Warrant as Article 21: Amend Bylaws, Chapter 164 Solid Waste.

Fairhaven, MA has a representative town meeting, which will take place in the Auditorium of the Hastings Middle School (30 School Street), starting at 9AM on Saturday May 6^th, 2023.

If you are a resident of Fairhaven and want to see these plastic pollution measures pass, please contact the Town Meeting Members from your precinct and ask them to vote Yes on Article 21!