Senator Lewis and Mass. Senate Pass Environmental Protection Bill Including Plastic Waste Reductions

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass the Mass Ready Act, an environmental bond bill that takes action to reduce plastic waste, invest in climate preparedness, and protect natural resources statewide.

The Senate’s legislation supports the removal of “forever chemicals” from drinking water, helps municipalities withstand floods and droughts, and makes outdoor recreation possible for more residents through improved trails and parks. It also expedites timelines for culvert replacement projects and includes requirements to inform prospective homebuyers and renters of flood risks. The bill includes $3.9 billion in bonding authorizations for a wide variety of environmental programs.

In an effort to cut down on pollution and our reliance on plastics, the bill would remove single-use plastic bags from retail stores, allow plastic utensils and straws to be given to consumers only upon request, prohibit single-use plastic bottle purchases by state agencies, except in emergency situations, and require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a statewide bulk plastic recycling program for products such as car seats.

During debate on the Senate floor, Senator Lewis was also successful in amending the bill to add a statewide prohibition on unrecyclable black plastic from being used as food service ware, and to require DEP to report back to the legislature on the feasibility and benefits of phasing out single-use polystyrene products.

“The production, consumption, and disposal of single-use plastics is causing tremendous harm to our environment and human health,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “Contrary to what many consumers believe, less than 10% of post-consumer plastic waste in the United States is actually recycled; the vast majority of this waste is burned in incinerators, buried in landfills, or ends up as litter in our streets and parks, eventually making its way into our oceans and breaking down into ubiquitous microplastics. This legislation puts us on the right track towards strong investments in protecting our environment and cleaning up our communities.”

Additional highlights of the state Senate’s Mass Ready Act include:

• Guarding against climate change and extreme weather events by authorizing up to $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, supporting climate resiliency planning in cities and towns.
• Protecting clean drinking water and soil by authorizing up to $450 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to protect access to clean water across the Commonwealth, $125.5 million to support resource conservation and preservation initiatives, and $15 million to address PFAS, lead, and other contaminants in schools and childcare centers.
• Investing in critical infrastructure by authorizing up to $800.5 million for properties and roadways owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, $521.6 million for state and municipally owned dams across the Commonwealth, $225 million for coastal infrastructure and resilience, and $5 million to promote the use of safer alternatives to PFAS in products and manufacturing.
• Conserving the natural world by authorizing up to $30 million for tree-planting initiatives across the Commonwealth, $50 million for MassTrails Grants, and $20 million to support the biodiversity goals of the Department of Fish and Game, as well as creating a local-option process for towns and cities to choose to ban anticoagulant rodenticides, which can be dangerous to pets and wild animals such as eagles and hawks.
• Supporting local farmers and healthy food access by authorizing up to $20 million to support the growth and economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s agricultural, commercial fishing, and cranberry-growing sectors, and $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program including the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to increase access to healthy, affordable food.

After passing with a vote of 36-3 in the Senate, the bill was sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.